Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

Purpose: Skeletal muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass and size, is known to be associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to examine the effect of blackcurrant extract on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-α-induced myotube atrophy. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with blackcurrant extract and cultured with TNF-α for 24 hours. The myotubes were stained using May-Grunwald Giemsa staining to measure the myotube diameter. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed.The mRNA expression of inflammation-related markers such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), as well as mitochondria dynamicsrelated markers, including mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), optic atrophy 1 (Opa1) were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of muscle protein degradation markers, including muscle ring finger protein 1 (MuRF-1), atrogin-1, and forkhead box protein O3 (FoXO3), as well as mitochondrial biogenesis markers such as silent information regulator T1 (Sirt1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α), were assessed by western blot analysis. Results: Treatment with blackcurrant extract increased the myotube diameter, which was decreased in TNF-α-induced myotube atrophy. Treatment with TNF-α increased ROS levels and the expression of MuRF-1 and atrogin-1, and these increases were significantly inhibited by treatment with the blackcurrant extract. In contrast, the phosphorylation of FoXO3 was increased by the blackcurrant extract. Furthermore, the blackcurrant extract treatment decreased the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS elevated by TNF-α treatment. Additionally, blackcurrant extract treatment suppressed the expression of Fis1, while increasing the expression of Opa1, Sirt1, and PGC-1α. Conclusion These results suggest that blackcurrant extract reduces TNF-α-induced muscle protein degradation by the enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial dynamics. Thus, this study provides foundational data supporting the potential of blackcurrant extract as a functional ingredient for the prevention of muscle atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors in a large group of schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Sociodemographic and treatment data were collected from medical records of 1,103 inpatients and outpatients treated for schizophrenia at Seoul National Hospital in Seoul, Korea. Anthropometric measurement and blood testing were conducted for collection of physical and biochemical data and diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Data for metabolic syndrome prevalence were compared by sex, age, metabolic syndrome markers present, treatment of markers, and types of antipsychotics and individual drug agents used. RESULTS: Mean prevalence of metabolic syndrome in all subjects was 43.9% and 40.1% according to adapted Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP-IIIa) and International Diabetes Federation criteria, respectively. No significant differences were found in prevalence according to ATP-IIIa criteria between men (42.6%) and woman (45.9%). A trend toward higher prevalence with age was observed for both sexes until 50 years, followed by a continued increase for women but a decrease for men. Use of a combination of atypical antipsychotics was associated with the highest metabolic syndrome prevalence and use of aripiprazole with the lowest. High percentages of subjects with hypertension and dyslipidemia were not being treated for these conditions. CONCLUSION: Despite their higher prevalence in schizophrenic patients, metabolic syndrome and its markers are not being adequately managed in these patients. Treatment of schizophrenic patients requires attention to not only their psychiatric conditions but also associated medical conditions by individual health care practitioners and hospitals as well as the public health care sector as a whole.
Adult ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dyslipidemias ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Piperazines ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Quinolones ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia ; Aripiprazole

Morus alba L. is well-known for its medicinal and economic value, particularly in Asian countries. Among the isolated compounds from this plant, steppogenin is exhibited as a flavonoid with promising pharmacological properties. This study focused on isolating bioactive compounds, notably steppogenin, from the ethyl acetate extract of M. alba. Additionally, a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method for the simultaneous quantification of steppogenin and isolated compounds was developed and validated. The calibration curve showed excellent linearity, with a correlation coefficient (R 2 ) value greater than 0.9957. The limit of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.006 to 0.018 μg/mL, whereas the limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.020 to 0.061 μg/mL. In precision tests conducted intra-day and inter-day, the accuracy was between 97.32% and 106.39%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) less than 2.27% and 1.65%, respectively. The presence of steppogenin and other flavonoids was confirmed by the study, contributing to the understanding of the chemical composition of M. alba. This validated analytical method offers a reliable means of quantifying steppogenin and aiding future research into its therapeutic potential.

BACKGROUND: The rate of cognitive change and prognostic factor in Alzheimer's disease are important for clinical management, but little is known in Korea. We report a one year follow-up study of comprehensive evaluation including cognitive functions, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and activity of daily living (ADL). METHODS: 43 patients with Alzheimer's disease were enrolled. All subjects received the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), the Severe Dementia Scale (SDS), the extended version of Korean Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) and Sum of Box (CDR-SB), the Barthel index of Activity of Daily Living (B-ADL), the Korean Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (K-IADL) and the Korean version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI). We retested each scale after 1 year and evaluated the changes. RESULTS: The mean change rates of K-MMSE, SDS, CDR, CDR-SB and B-ADL scores were 2.0 +/- 3.2 (-7~8) mean +/- SD (range), 3.5 +/- 4.9 (-7~14), -0.4 +/- 0.7 (-2~1), -0.8 +/- 4.4 (-10~9) and 1.5 +/- 3.7 (-7~9). The change of K-MMSE and B-ADLscore according to CDR were significantly different. The annual rates of changes of scores on K-MMSE, B-ADL and CDR were largest in CDR 1 group (K-MMSE: 4.0 +/- 2.7, B-ADL: 3.4 +/- 2.8, CDR: -1 +/- 0.7). The change rate of SDS was largest in CDR 4 (7.2 +/- 4.3). There were not any significant factors that affected the change of K-MMSE, SDS, B-ADL or CDR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that K-MMSE is sensitive to the early stage and SDS is sensitive to the later stage. The deterioration rate of cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease is large at middle stage.
Alzheimer Disease* ; Cognition ; Dementia ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Korea ; Longitudinal Studies ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Comprehensive Hand Repetitive Intensive Strength Training (CHRIST) on upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy using motion analysis. METHOD: The subjects in this study included 19 children (10 males, 9 females, mean age=8.8 years) with cerebral palsy. The experimental group (n=10) received CHRIST and general rehabilitation therapy. The control group (n=9) received a home program as well as general rehabilitation therapy. Both groups received 30 sessions of CHRIST or home program training for 60 minutes per session 3 times a week during the 10-week period. The reaching movements were captured by a motion analysis system. Kinematic variables including movement time (MT), mean velocity (MV), normalized jerk score (NJS), mean angular velocity (MAV) and normalized jerk score of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joint with comfortable and fast speed were analyzed between groups and the pre-post training group. RESULTS: After pre- and post-training experimental group, MT, MV, NJS, MAV of shoulder, elbow, wrist and NJS of elbow and wrist improved significantlyin reaching movement of both comfortable and fast speed (p<0.05). However, After pre- and post-training control group, MV improved significantlyin reaching movement of only comfortable speed (p<0.05). Between two groups, MT and MAV of the elbow at comfortable speed and NJS of the elbow at fast speed were statisticallysignificant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: CHRIST proved to be an effective intervention for improving upper limb extremity function of reaching movement in children with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral Palsy ; Child ; Elbow ; Extremities ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Strength ; Resistance Training ; Shoulder ; Upper Extremity ; Wrist ; Wrist Joint

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of truncated triangle appearance of anterior horn (AH) to body of medial meniscus (MM) and determine its clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IRB approval was obtained, and informed consent waived for this study. The criteria of "pseudoradial tear" was truncated triangle appearance of the tip of AH to body of MM on one or more coronal images with adjacent fluid signal intensity at the blunted tip. Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively evaluated 485 knee MR images independently for the presence and number of sections with "pseudoradial tear" of AH to body of MM using proton density-weighted coronal MR images. Inter-and intraobserver agreement was calculated using kappa coefficients. Medical records were reviewed for arthroscopic correlation. RESULTS: A pseudoradial tear in the AH to body of MM was present in 381 (78.6%) patients. Locations were 112 in AH (29.4%), 143 in AH to body (37.5%), and 126 in body (33.1%). Number of consecutive sections of pseudoradial tear were 1 in 100 (26.2%), 2 in 164 (43.0%), 3 in 94 (24.7%), 4 in 21 (5.5%), and 5 in 2 (0.5%). Interobserver agreement was 0.99 for presence and 0.43 for number of sections of pseudoradial tear. Arthroscopies were performed in 96 patients and none of the pseudoradial tears were proven as true radial tears on arthroscopy. CONCLUSION: Pseudoradial tears are frequently seen in AH to body of MM on coronal MR images and may be another pitfall that a radiologist needs to be aware of and be able to differentiate from true radial tear.
Animals ; Arthroscopy ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Horns ; Humans ; Incidence ; Informed Consent ; Knee ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Menisci, Tibial* ; Protons ; Retrospective Studies ; Tears*

BACKGROUND: Central fat mass (CFM) correlates with insulin resistance and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular complications; however, peripheral fat mass (PFM) is associated with insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation of absolute and relative regional adiposity to insulin resistance index and adipokines in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Total of 83 overweighted-Korean women with type 2 diabetes were enrolled, and rate constants for plasma glucose disappearance (KITT) and serum adipokines, such as retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4), leptin, and adiponectin, were measured. Using dual X-ray absorptiometry, trunk fat mass (in kilograms) was defined as CFM, sum of fat mass on the lower extremities (in kilograms) as PFM, and sum of CFM and PFM as total fat mass (TFM). PFM/TFM ratio, CFM/TFM ratio, and PFM/CFM ratio were defined as relative adiposity. RESULTS: Median age was 55.9 years, mean body mass index 27.2 kg/m2, and mean HbA1c level 7.12+/-0.84%. KITT was positively associated with PMF/TFM ratio, PMF/CFM ratio, and negatively with CFM/TFM ratio, but was not associated with TFM, PFM, or CFM. RBP4 levels also had a significant relationship with PMF/TFM ratio and PMF/CFM ratio. Adiponectin, leptin, and apolipoprotein A levels were related to absolute adiposity, while only adiponectin to relative adiposity. In correlation analysis, KITT in type 2 diabetes was positively related with HbA1c, fasting glucose, RBP4, and free fatty acid. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that increased relative amount of peripheral fat mass may aggravate insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adipokines ; Adiponectin ; Adiposity ; Apolipoproteins ; Body Mass Index ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; Lower Extremity ; Plasma ; Vitamin A

PURPOSE: Macrovascular complications are the main cause of mortality in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The purpose of this study was to clarify the presence of early vascular changes and to assess the risk factors of macrovascular complications in young adults with T1DM diagnosed in childhood and adolescence. METHODS: Seventy-two patients (23.9+/-2.4 years) with T1 DM diagnosed before 18 years of age and twenty normal controls were included. The incidence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and other risk factors of macrovascular complication were reviewed. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and mean intima-media thickness (IMT) measured by ultrasound were compared between patients and control subjects, and their correlations with macrovascular risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 72 patients, 32 (44.4%) had hypertension. The proportions of maleness (P=0.03) and mean body mass index (P=0.04) were higher in the hypertensive patients than in normotensive patients. Thirty-one (N=69, 44.9%) patients had dyslipidemia and LDL-cholesterol was positively correlated with mean HbA1c (r=0.32, P=0.008) and total daily insulin dose (r=0.27, P=0.02). The mean IMT was significantly higher in patients than in control subjects (0.43+/-0.06 mm vs 0.39+/-0.06 mm, P=0.03). There was no difference in the value of FMD between patients and controls, but the duration of the disease after pubertal onset was negatively correlated with FMD (r=-0.34, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Hypertension, dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic vascular change were observed in young adults with T1DM diagnosed during childhood and adolescence; this strongly suggests that meticulous screening of macrovascular complications and control of their risk factors should be conducted.
Adolescent ; Atherosclerosis ; Body Mass Index ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Insulin ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Risk Factors ; Vasodilation ; Young Adult