The aim of this article was to evaluate the social meaning of alcohol consumption among Koreans. Drinking is considered a method of nonverbal communication, a useful means of maintaining a sense of community and individuality within a community, and a bridge for gathering during work and leisure time. Since Korean society places such a strong social meaning on drinking behavior, the harmful effects of alcohol can extend beyond individual problems to the bigger social picture. The problems associated with excessive alcohol consumption continue to increase every year. The prevalence of high-risk has increased from 14.9% (2005) to 17.1% (2009) and the rate of drinking and driving accidents has increased from 54.79 per 100,000 person (2005) to 57.86 (2009). In addition, the total expenditure on alcohol-related disease in Korea has increased markedly from 3.2 trillion won in 2005 to 6.1 trillion won in 2009. The government's efforts to reduce alcohol harms have not been as effective as anticipated because there is a strong social dependence on alcohol. Regular alcohol consumption can elicit a strong feeling of dependence that is very difficult to reverse. In addition, the powerful social meaning Koreans associate with drinking contributes to their propensity to develop a deeper psychological and physical dependence on alcohol. A strategy to affect cultural change is desperately needed in order to alter the social meaning of drinking to reduce drinking harms in modern Korean society.
Alcohol Drinking ; Drinking ; Drinking Behavior ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Individuality ; Korea ; Leisure Activities ; Nonverbal Communication ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVES: Currently, time of alcohol purchase is not part of the policies to regulate alcohol consumption in South Korea. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between alcohol purchasing time and alcohol use disorder. METHODS: The survey for this study was conducted in geographically diverse regions of South Korea in 2012. Respondents’ purchasing behaviors for both on-licensed (i.e., allows for consumption within the premises) and off-licensed (i.e., where alcohol is consumed off the premises) outlets and time of alcohol consumption were collected. Alcohol consumption patterns were examined using the Rapid Alcohol Problem Screen 4 (RAPS4). Data were also analyzed by age, gender and purchasing time. RESULTS: Results showed that among the off-licensed premises, supermarkets appear to be the most popular venue while for on-licensed premises; alcohol was generally consumed inside hotels/pubs regardless of age and gender of the purchaser. Purchasing of alcohol was highest during the day and early evening period (9:00 a.m. to 9:59 p.m.). Females are most likely to abuse alcohol than males during the early morning period and is that period after 12:00 midnight. CONCLUSION: Analysis suggests that the survey instrument used in the International Alcohol Control Study is being used to collect data on alcohol purchasing time consumption; therefore, the potential is there to provide accurate results to contribute appropriate policy responses to reduce alcohol related-harm.
Alcohol Drinking ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of heart failure (HF)-associated hospitalization and mortality in patients with diabetes. However, it is not clear whether SGLT2 inhibitors have a cardiovascular benefit in patients without diabetes. We aimed to determine whether empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, has a protective role in HF without diabetes. METHODS: Cardiomyopathy was induced in C57BL/6J mice using intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (Dox). Mice with HF were fed a normal chow diet (NCD) or an NCD containing 0.03% EMPA. Then we analyzed their phenotypes and performed in vitro experiments to reveal underlying mechanisms of the EMPA's effects. RESULTS: Mice fed NCD with EMPA showed improved heart function and reduced fibrosis. In vitro studies showed similar results. Phloridzin, a non-specific SGLT inhibitor, did not show any protective effect against Dox toxicity in H9C2 cells. SGLT2 inhibitor can cause increase in blood ketone levels. Beta hydroxybutyrate (βOHB), which is well known ketone body associated with SGLT2 inhibitor, showed a protective effect against Dox in H9C2 cells and in Dox-treated mice. These results suggest elevating βOHB might be a convincing mechanism for the protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: SGLT2 inhibitors have a protective effect in Dox-induced HF in mice. This implied that SGLT2 inhibitor therapy could be a good treatment strategy even in HF patients without diabetes.
3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; Animals ; Cardiomyopathies ; Diet ; Doxorubicin ; Doxycycline ; Fibrosis ; Heart Failure ; Heart ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Mice ; Mortality ; Phenotype ; Phlorhizin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of heart failure (HF)-associated hospitalization and mortality in patients with diabetes. However, it is not clear whether SGLT2 inhibitors have a cardiovascular benefit in patients without diabetes. We aimed to determine whether empagliflozin (EMPA), an SGLT2 inhibitor, has a protective role in HF without diabetes. METHODS: Cardiomyopathy was induced in C57BL/6J mice using intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (Dox). Mice with HF were fed a normal chow diet (NCD) or an NCD containing 0.03% EMPA. Then we analyzed their phenotypes and performed in vitro experiments to reveal underlying mechanisms of the EMPA's effects. RESULTS: Mice fed NCD with EMPA showed improved heart function and reduced fibrosis. In vitro studies showed similar results. Phloridzin, a non-specific SGLT inhibitor, did not show any protective effect against Dox toxicity in H9C2 cells. SGLT2 inhibitor can cause increase in blood ketone levels. Beta hydroxybutyrate (βOHB), which is well known ketone body associated with SGLT2 inhibitor, showed a protective effect against Dox in H9C2 cells and in Dox-treated mice. These results suggest elevating βOHB might be a convincing mechanism for the protective effects of SGLT2 inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS SGLT2 inhibitors have a protective effect in Dox-induced HF in mice. This implied that SGLT2 inhibitor therapy could be a good treatment strategy even in HF patients without diabetes.