Early life nutritional environment is not only associated with the growth and development of children, but also affects the health of adults. Numerous epidemiological and animal studies suggest that early nutritional programming is an important physiological and pathological mechanism. DNA methylation is one of the important mechanisms of nutritional programming, which is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase, a specific base of DNA covalently binds to a methyl group, to regulate gene expression. In this review, we summarize the role of DNA methylation in the "abnormal developmental planning" of key metabolic organs caused by excessive nutrition in early life, resulting in long-term obesity and metabolic disorders in the offspring, and explore the clinical significance of regulating DNA methylation levels through dietary interventions to prevent or reverse the occurrence of metabolic disorders in the early stage in a "deprogramming" manner.
Humans ; Animals ; Female ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Clinical Relevance ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Metabolic Diseases

BACKGROUND: The importance of bone health is emphasized throughout the life cycle. Young adults have problems with bone health due to irregular lifestyle and unbalanced diet, but studies related to them are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of college students and to analyze the differences in BMD according to lifestyle. METHODS: BMD was measured by bone ultrasound in 161 male and female college students. The questionnaire was surveyed about lifestyle, eating habits, and nutrient intake status. RESULTS: Osteopenia was 8.8% in male and 10.8% in female. The body fat percentage of female was significantly higher than male. Male college students, smoking, fast food consumption, and overeating rate were significantly higher than female. Nutrient intake was not significantly different between male and female students. But energy and vitamin A and C levels were inadequate, and protein and sodium intake was excessive compared with the recommended nutrient intake for Koreans. BMD was significantly lowest in male who often intake fast food than male who did not intake at all or intake sometimes. Female who often intake fast food had significantly lower BMD than female who did not eat at all. CONCLUSIONS: College students have different BMDs according to lifestyle. There was a difference in BMD according to smoking and fast food consumption.
Adipose Tissue ; Bone Density* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Diet ; Eating* ; Fast Foods ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Life Cycle Stages ; Life Style ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sodium ; Ultrasonography ; Vitamin A ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is a major cause of cancer. This study investigated the effects of the ethanol extracts from germinated and non-germinated Keunnunjami rice, a blackish-purple pigmented cultivar with giant embryo, on selected human cancer cell lines and on the antioxidant defense system of mice fed with a high-fat diet. MATERIALS/METHODS: High fat-fed mice were orally administered with either distilled water (HF) or extracts (0.25%, w/w) from brown (B), germinated brown (GB), Keunnunjami (K), and germinated Keunnunjami (GK) rice. RESULTS: In comparison with the brown rice extract, Keunnunjami extract showed higher anticancer effect against cervical and gastric cell lines but lower anticancer activity on liver and colon cancer cells. Mice from the HF group showed significantly higher lipid peroxidation and lower antioxidant enzyme activities than the control group. However, the oxidative stress induced by high-fat diet markedly decreased in B, GB, K, and GK groups as compared with the HF group. CONCLUSIONS: Germination may be an effective method for improving the anticancer and antioxidative properties of Keunnunjami rice and extracts from germinated Keunnunjami rice may serve as a therapeutic agent against cervical and gastric cancers and oxidative damage.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Diet, High-Fat ; Embryonic Structures* ; Ethanol* ; Germination* ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Methods ; Mice ; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases ; Oxidative Stress ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Water

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Changes in nutritional status during gestation and lactation have detrimental effects on offspring metabolism. Several animal studies have shown that maternal high-fat diet (HFD) can predispose the offspring to development of obesity and metabolic diseases, however the mechanisms underlying these transgenerational effects are poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the effect of maternal HFD consumption on metabolic phenotype and hepatic expression of involved genes in dams to determine whether any of these parameters were associated with the metabolic outcomes in the offspring. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD: 10% calories from fat) or a high-fat diet (HFD: 45% calories from fat) for three weeks before mating, and during pregnancy and lactation. Dams and their male offspring were studied at weaning. RESULTS: Dams fed an HFD had significantly higher body and adipose tissue weights and higher serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels than dams fed an LFD. Hepatic lipid levels and mRNA levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism, including LXRα, SREBP-2, FXR, LDLR, and ABCG8 were significantly changed by maternal HFD intake. Significantly lower total liver DNA and protein contents were observed in dams fed an HFD, implicating the disturbed liver adaptation in the pregnancy-related metabolic demand. HFD feeding also induced significant oxidative stress in serum and liver of dams. Offspring of dams fed an HFD had significantly higher serum cholesterol levels, which were negatively correlated with liver weights of dams and positively correlated with hepatic lipid peroxide levels in dams. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal HFD consumption induced metabolic dysfunction, including altered liver growth and oxidative stress in dams, which may contribute to the disturbed cholesterol homeostasis in the early life of male mice offspring.
Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Cholesterol* ; Diet, Fat-Restricted ; Diet, High-Fat ; DNA ; Female ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Lactation ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver* ; Male ; Metabolic Diseases ; Metabolism* ; Mice* ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; Oxidative Stress* ; Phenotype ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; Triglycerides ; Weaning ; Weights and Measures

The endocrine pancreas secretes several hormones including insulin and glucagon and dysfunction of them may lead to diabetes mellitus. The integrated regulation of systemic glucose balance prevents the devastating consequences of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. This remarkable homeostatic feat is accomplished primarily by hormones, but also by neurotransmitters and substrate effects, and it reflects the interplay of plasma glucose-lowering and glucose-raising factors. Moreover, endocrine diseases frequently co-associate with diabetes mellitus. There have also been several reports on changes in growth hormone (GH) in nutrient excess or deprivation. GH is released into the general circulation where it interacts with multiple peripheral tissues through its receptor, GH receptor, to regulate growth and metabolic function. In humans, GH levels decrease in states of nutrient excess such as obesity, and increase in response to nutrient deprivation such as fasting. Considering that GH regulates metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein, clarifying the mechanisms by which metabolic changes alter GH synthesis and secretion will increase our knowledge on the pathophysiology and treatment of metabolic diseases. In this review, the effect of nutrient excess and nutrient deficiency on GH axis function in humans will be summarized, with particular emphasis on studies exploring the direct effects of systemic signals, including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin, on somatotrope function. Moreover, there will be a discussion over the overlap syndrome consisting of multiple endocrine neoplasm (MEN) and polyglandular autoimmune diseases (PGA).
Autoimmune Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endocrine System Diseases ; Fasting ; Glucagon ; Glucose ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypoglycemia ; Insulin ; Islets of Langerhans ; Metabolic Diseases ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Obesity ; Plasma ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra

This study was conducted to evaluate the rate of obesity of 212 women (age 45-60 years) in Seoul and the Kyunggi area through analysis of BMI and the dietary life factors related to obesity using a survey on dietary habits, dietary assessment, and nutrient intake. The height of the underweight group was taller than normal. The height of the obese group was equal to that of the normal group, but the weight was 8.5 kg greater than the normal group. Women in the underweight group consumed meals irregularly, and only 33.4% ate breakfast. Additionally, the rate of overeating was low in the underweight group, and milk, dairy products (yogurt, etc.), fruit, and fruit juice were consumed more than once a day. It was found that 62.1% of the women in the obese group never ate out, and the rate of eating one serving of fruit, drinking one cup of fruit juice, and eating various kinds of foods was high. The average point of women's dietary life was 21.9 +/- 2.9, and 12.7% of all women responded that their dietary life was good. However, in the obese group, only 6.9% of the women reported that their dietary life was good. Evaluation of snacking habits revealed that the underweight group consumed a high level of carbonated drinks and ice cream, whereas for in the obese group, 24.1% of the women consumed milk and its products and 5.6% regularly consumed fast and fried foods. Evaluation of nutrient intake revealed that the consumption of energy, protein, vitamin A, vitamin B1, B2, B6, niacin, vitamin C, and vitamin E was high in all of the groups, but the intake of folic acid in the underweight group was lower than the required level. Overall, 24.1% of the women in the obese group were found to have metabolic diseases, mostly hypertension (43%). In conclusion, a balanced diet to avoid excessive nutrient intake is needed to prevent obesity.
Ascorbic Acid ; Breakfast ; Carbonated Beverages ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Drinking ; Eating ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Hypertension ; Ice Cream ; Meals ; Metabolic Diseases ; Milk ; Niacin ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; Snacks ; Thiamine ; Thinness ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

Nutritional therapy with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is usually performed in the critically ill patients who cannot ingest or digest food through the gastrointestinal tract. The process of well managed nutritional support by TPN is not simple, nor easy. Doctors experience various complications, the patients also suffer from much discomfort. Especially the younger patients, they are labile to more complications. The physicians should know thoroughly how to avoid the complications, how to effectively supply TPN solution to the patients. The author reviews the numerous complications during TPN and the methods for the prevention of complications.
Critical Illness ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases ; Nutritional Support ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total

This patient is a 38 year old housewife who has been hypertensive and hypokalemic since age 23. She suffered her first stroke at age 32 and a seizure just one week prior to admission. This paper will discuss the clues to the diagnosis of secondary hypertension.
Human ; Female ; Adult ; HYPERTENSION ; CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES ; VASCULAR DISEASES ; HYPOKALEMIA ; NUTRITIONAL AND METABOLIC DISEASES ; METABOLIC DISEASES ; WATER-ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE ; MUSCLE WEAKNESS ; SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ; PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ;

Mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders have very diverse manifestations and can present with any symptom, in any organ at any time. Here we describe two Filipino children confirmed to have a mitochondrial respiratory chain disorder after presenting with non-specific neurologic symptoms. The first patient had Otahara syndrome and was later on found to have complex I deficiency. The second patient had the m.8993T>G mtDNA mutation that was consistent with a Leigh phenotype.
Human ; Female ; MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASES ; NUTRITIONAL AND METABOLIC DISEASES ; METABOLIC DISEASES

Elderly people comprise an increasing proportion of the population, and nutritional impairments may contribute to health problems among this group. This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritional status by Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and to identify relationships among anthropometric measurements, biochemical indicators, bone Mineral Density (BMD) and MNA results among older adults (> or =65 yrs, n=98, 66.7+/-2.5 yrs; M=52, F=46, BMI 24.5+/-2.8 kg/m2) at a Health Care Center. A dietitian administered MNA and collected anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference), biochemical indicators (albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, TLC, glucose, lipids) and the BMD (spine, femur, F=46). Subjects were grouped into a normal nutrition group (0~2 risk factors of malnutrition) and a high risk of malnutrition group (>=3 risk factors of malnutrition) based on their risk factor status for malnutrition. The risk factors for malnutrition include age > or =65 years, PIBW <90%, albumin <3.5 g/dl, TLC <1,500%, Hgb <14 g/dl (men), Hgb <10 g/dl (women), loss of appetite and weight loss 1~3 kg/last 3 months. In addition, subjects were grouped into a normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis group by BMD. We found that 12% of the subjects were at risk of malnutrition (MNA score, 21.4+/-2.1) and that 88% were well nourished (27.3+/-1.5) according to the MNA. Full-MNA scores were positively and significantly (p<0.05) associated with BMI, mid-arm circumference (MAC), calf circumference (CC), albumin and hemoglobin, respectively. The full-MNA score of the high risk of malnutrition group (23.0+/-3.8) was lower than that of the normal nutrition group (27.0+/-2.1) (p<0.05). In addition, the Full-MNA score was negatively associated with the risk factor of malnutrition (r=-0.35, p=0.0004). We found that 39.1% of the subjects had osteoporosis, 45.7% had osteopenia and 15.2% were normal according to their BMD. The MNA score of osteoporosis group (24.58+/-3.3) was lower than that of the normal (27.4+/-1.1) and osteopenia group (26.9+/-1.5) (p<0.05). These results suggested that MNA can be useful as a nutritional screening tool of older adults in Health Care Centers.
Adult ; Aged ; Appetite ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Delivery of Health Care ; Femur ; Glucose ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Malnutrition ; Mass Screening ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Osteoporosis ; Risk Factors ; Weight Loss