The effects of dietary self-monitoring intervention on anthropometric and metabolic changes via a mobile application or paper-based diary: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Weight loss via a mobile application (App) or a paper-based diary (Paper) may confer favorable metabolic and anthropometric changes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A randomized parallel trial was conducted among 57 adults whose body mass indices (BMIs) were 25 kg/m2 or greater. Participants randomly assigned to either the App group (n = 30) or the Paper group (n = 27) were advised to record their foods and supplements through App or Paper during the 12-week intervention period. Relative changes of anthropometries and biomarker levels were compared between the 2 intervention groups. Untargeted metabolic profiling was identified to discriminate metabolic profiles. RESULTS: Out of the 57 participants, 54 participants completed the trial. Changes in body weight and BMI were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.11). However, body fat and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels increased in the App group but decreased in the Paper group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.03 for body fat and 0.02 for LDL-cholesterol). In the metabolomics analysis, decreases in methylglyoxal and (S)-malate in pyruvate metabolism and phosphatidylcholine (lecithin) in linoleic acid metabolism from pre- to post-intervention were observed in the Paper group. CONCLUSIONS: In the 12-week randomized parallel trial of weight loss through a App or a Paper, we found no significant difference in change in BMI or weight between the App and Paper groups, but improvement in body fatness and LDL-cholesterol levels only in the Paper group under the circumstances with minimal contact by dietitians or health care providers. Trial Registration: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0004226.

The effects of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen treatment before and after maximal exercise on lactate concentration, heart rate recovery, and antioxidant capacity.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of low-pressure hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment before and after maximal exercise on lactate concentration and heart rate and antioxidant capacity. Ten healthy male college students were recruited from amateur soccer players. Subjects were performed a maximal exercise 3 times at intervals of at least 7 days according to the treatment method (control, pretreatment, posttreatment). Lactate concentration, heart rate, and antioxidant capacity were measured before, post, and after recovery 30 min of maximal exercise. The lactate concentration and heart rate of recovery 30 min was significantly lower in the low-pressure HBO treated group after the maximal exercise compared with the control group and the low-pressure HBO treated group before maximal exercise, and it could affect the removal of the fatigue substance caused by the maximal exercise. These results suggest that the low-pressure HBO treatment which is a new possibility for recovery of peripheral fatigue.

Effects of Massage on Muscular Strength and Proprioception After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage.

Exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), which is commonly associated with eccentric exercise, unaccustomed exercise, and resistance training, may lead to delayed onset muscle soreness, swelling, decreased muscle strength, and range of motion. Many researchers have evaluated various interventions to treat the signs and symptoms of EIMD. However, the effects of massage after EIMD are unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of massage on muscle strength and proprioception after EIMD. All subjects randomly were divided into an EIMD-treated control group (n = 10) and a massage-treated after EIMD experimental group (n = 11). Exercise-induced muscle damage was induced by repeated exercise. Massage treatment was provided by physiotherapist for 15 minutes. It consists of light stroking, milking, friction, and skin rolling. Lactate was evaluated by Lactate Pro analyzer in pre- and postexercise. Surface electromyography (muscle activity) and sonography (muscle thickness) were used to confirm the muscular characteristics. Proprioception was investigated by dual inclinometer. As a result, massage treatment on the gastrocnemius after EIMD increased activation of the medial gastrocnemius during contraction (p ≤ 0.05). In the lateral and medial gastrocnemius, the θs, which is the angle between muscle fibers and superficial aponeurosis, showed a significant change (p ≤ 0.05). However, there are no differences in the θd, which is the angle between muscle fibers and deep aponeurosis. We also found that proprioceptive acuity in the ankle joint was significantly greater in the massage-treated experimental group compared with that in the control group (p ≤ 0.05). These findings suggest that massage of the gastrocnemius after EIMD can improve muscle strength and proprioception by influencing the superficial layer of the gastrocnemius.

Berberine prevents nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal loss and suppresses hippocampal apoptosis in mice with Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons and a reduction in striatal dopaminergic fibers, which result in tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia and gait disturbance. In addition to motor dysfunction, dementia is a widely recognized symptom of patients with PD. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Berberis vulgaris L., is known to exert anxiolytic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipsychotic, antidepressant and anti-amnesic effects. In the present study, we investigated the effects of berberine on short-term memory in relation to dopamine depletion and hippocampal neurogenesis using a mouse model of PD, induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid (MPTP/P) treatment. Mice in the berberine-treated groups were orally administered berberine once a day for a total of 5 weeks. Our results revealed that the injection of MPTP/P induced dopaminergic neuronal death in the substantia nigra and fiber loss in the striatum. This resulted in impaired motor balance and coordination, as assessed by the beam walking test. We further demonstrated that MPTP/P-induced apoptosis in the hippocampus deteriorated short-term memory, as shown by the step-down avoidance task. By contrast, neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, which is a compensatory adaptive response to excessive apoptosis, was increased upon PD induction. However, treatment with berberine enhanced motor balance and coordination by preventing dopaminergic neuronal damage. Treatment with berberine also improved short-term memory by inhibiting apoptosis in the hippocampus. Berberine demonstrated maximal potency at 50 mg/kg. Based on these data, treatment with berberine may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for the alleviation of memory impairment and motor dysfunction in patients with PD.

Effects of Phellinus linteus administration on serotonin synthesis in the brain and expression of monocarboxylate transporters in the muscle during exhaustive exercise in rats.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of Phellinus linteus (PL) on serotonin synthesis in the brain and on the expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) in muscles during exhaustive exercise in rats. In this study, 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 6 groups: control; exercise; exercise and 50 mg/kg of PL treatment; exercise and 100 of mg/kg PL treatment; exercise and 200 mg/kg of PL treatment; and exercise and 100 mg/kg of caffeine treatment. Treatment with 200 mg/kg of PL led to a significant increase in the time to exhaustion in response to running on a treadmill and a significant decrease in 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of rats. MCT1 and MCT4 expression of the gastrocnemius muscles was also increased in response to treatment with 200 mg/kg of PL. The results of the present study demonstrated that the administration of PL increased endurance exercise performance through inhibition of serotonin production in the brain and increased the expression of MCT1 and MCT4 in muscles. These results suggest that PL exerts an ergogenic effect.

Inhibitory effect of Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix on expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse BV2 microglial cells.

OBJECTIVES: Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix has traditionally been used for treating headache, flu-like symptoms, limb-ache and disability, and even for treating toothache. We investigated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation. METHODS: For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, prostaglandin E(2) immunoassay and nitric oxide detection in mouse BV2 microglial cells were performed. RESULTS: Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix suppressed prostaglandin E(2) synthesis and nitric oxide production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA in mouse BV2 microglial cells. DISCUSSION: The present study indicates that Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix can be applied as a valuable treatment for brain inflammation and headache.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the aqueous extract of corni fructus in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

Corni fructus is the fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc, which is classified into the dogwood family of Cornaceae. Corni fructus has antineoplastic, antioxidative, and antidiabetic effects, but its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects are unknown. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of an aqueous extract of corni fructus using murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. For this study, we used the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, western blot analysis, prostaglandin (PG) E(2) immunoassay, and nitric oxide (NO) detection. In addition, the analgesic effect of corni fructus was assessed by the acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice. The aqueous extract of corni fructus suppressed PGE(2) synthesis and NO production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The extract also suppressed increases in nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) levels in the nucleus. In vivo study showed that the extract suppressed the acetic acid-induced writhing response in mice. The aqueous extract of corni fructus exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by suppressing COX-2 and iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NF-kappaB binding activity.

Effects of acupuncture on abdominal leak point pressure and c-Fos expression in the brain of rats with stress urinary incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence leads to the involuntary loss of urine during abdominal strain caused by sneezing, laughing, and coughing. Acupuncture has been widely used for the treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases in traditional medicine. Acupuncture has also been used to relieve the symptoms of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract. In the present study, we investigated the effect of acupuncture at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint on stress urinary incontinence in rats. The present results showed that abdominal leak point pressure was decreased in rats with stress urinary incontinence, while acupuncture at the SP6 acupoint significantly enhanced the abdominal leak point pressure. The expression of c-Fos in the pontine micturition center (PMC), ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), and medial preoptic nucleus (MPA) regions was increased by the induction of stress urinary incontinence, and acupuncture at the SP6 acupoint significantly decreased c-Fos expression in these areas. In the present study, we showed that acupuncture has therapeutic effect on the symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, and this effect of acupuncture is associated with modulation of c-Fos expression in the brain.

Aqueous extract of Anemarrhena rhizome increases cell proliferation and neuropeptide Y expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In this study, the effects of the aqueous extract of Anemarrhena rhizome on cell proliferation and neuropeptide Y expression in the dentate gyrus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated via immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and neuropeptide Y. The results showed that the treatment with 50 to 200 microg/kg/day for 7 days of the aqueous extract of Anemarrhena rhizome increased new cell formation and neuropeptide Y expression in the dentate gyrus of diabetic rats reduced by the treatment with streptozotocin in rat.

Effect of Acanthopanax senticosus on 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of exercised rats.

Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (AS) is classified into the family of Araliaceae. The plant has been used as an analeptic aid, which improves weakened physical status and strength. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) catalyzes the rate-f the raphe nuclei. These are associated with "central fatigue hypotheses" in the brain. In the present study, the effects of Acanthopanax senticosus on the time to exhaustion by treadmill exercise and on 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe were investigated by immunohistochemistry. In the present results, Acanthopanax senticosus increased the time to exhaustion by treadmill running and it suppressed the exercise-induced increase of 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression. Acanthopanax senticosus was effective as caffeine for increasing the exhaustion time in treadmill running and for reducing the exercise-induced increase of 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe. The present study shows that Acanthopanax senticosus reduces fatigue during exercise by the inhibition of exercise-induced 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe.

Effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression and newly cell birth in rats.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. Caspases are essential players in apoptotic cell death both as initiators and executioners. The v-Fos FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Fos, c-Fos) is an immediate early gene, and Fos expression is sometimes used as a marker for stimuli-induced changes in the metabolic activity of neurons. The expressions of caspase3 and Fos are enhanced with neuroregeneration and with neuronal cell death, respectively. Cells proliferation the dentate gyrus of adult rodents is enhanced by certain pathologic events as seizures and ischemic insult, and such up-regulation of cell proliferation occurring during pathologic situations is thought to be a compensatory response to lesion-induced cell death in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the striatum and on the Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats. METHODS: For this study, immunohistochemistry for caspase3, Fos and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was performed. RESULTS: Caspase3 expression in the striatum was increased by intrastriatal hemorrhage. Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage were also increased. Acupunctural treatment, especially at the ST36 acupoint, suppressed the intracerebral hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the stratum, and it also inhibited expression of Fos and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we have shown that acupuncture treatment has a neuroprotective effect on intrastrstriatal hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death, and this suggests that acupuncture can aid in the recovery of the central nervous system following stroke.

Armeniacae semen extract suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced expressions of cyclooxygenase [correction of cycloosygenase]-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mouse BV2 microglial cells.

Armeniacae semen is the seed of Prunus armeniaca L. var. ansu MAXIM which is classified into Rosaceae. In traditional oriental medicine, Armeniacae semen has been used for the treatment of pain and inflammatory diseases. In this study, the effect of Armeniacae semen extract on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, prostaglandin E2 immunoassay, and nitric oxide detection on mouse BV2 microglial cells. In the present results, Armeniacae semen extract suppressed prostaglandin E2 synthesis and nitric oxide production by inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated enhancement of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression in BV2 cells. These results show that Armeniacae semen exerts anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects probably by suppression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions.

Administration of Ginseng radix decreases nitric oxide synthase expression in the hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Alternation of NOS expression is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous secondary complications of diabetes. Aqueous extract of Ginseng radix has traditionally been used for the various disorders including diabetes. In this study, the effect of Ginseng radix on the NOS expression in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. Enhanced NOS expression was detected in the hippocampus of diabetic rats and administration of Ginseng radix suppressed NOS expression. Ginseng radix may aid the treatment of central nervous system complications in diabetes.

Modulation of Corydalis tuber on glycine-induced ion current in acutely dissociated rat periaqueductal gray neurons.

Traditionally, Corydalis tuber has been used for the control of pain including headache, stomach ache, and neuralgia. In the present study, modulation of the Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current in the acutely dissociated periaqueductal gray (PAG) neurons was studied by a nystatin-perforated patch-clamp technique. High concentrations of Corydalis tuber elicited ion current, which was suppressed by strychnine application, while low concentrations of Corydalis tuber reduced glycine-induced ion current in the PAG neurons. Inhibitory action of Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current was partially abolished by treatment with naltrexone, a non-selective opioid antagonist. Application of N-methylmalemide (NEM), a sulfhydryl alkylating agent, also partially abolished the inhibitory action of Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current in the PAG neurons. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of Corydalis tuber on glycine-activated ion current in the PAG neurons is one of the analgesic mechanisms of the Corydalis tuber.

Acupuncture suppresses intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced apoptotic neuronal cell death in rats.

Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. In the present study, the effect of acupuncture on intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death in rats was investigated via Nissl staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, and immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. The present results showed that lesion size and apoptotic neuronal cell death in the striatum were significantly increased following intrastriatal hemorrhage in rats and that acupunctural treatment at the Zusanli acupoint suppressed the hemorrhage-induced increase in lesion size and apoptotic neuronal cell death in the striatum. In the present study, it can be suggested that acupunctural treatment, especially at the Zusanli acupoint, may aid in the recovery following central nervous system sequellae following intracerebral hemorrhage.

Aqueous extract of ma huang suppresses neuropeptide Y expression in food-deprived rat hypothalamus.

Ma huang, the dried plant stem of ephedra intermedia Schrenk et C.A., contains an ephedrine-type alkaloid and has been used for weight loss. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36-amino acid peptide, is concentrated in the hypothalamus and stimulates feeding desire. In this study, the effect of ma huang on the expressions of NPY in the hypothalamus of rats was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Food-deprivation enhanced the NPY expression in the hypothalamus. ma huang suppressed the food-deprivation-induced enhancement of NPY expression. Present results suggest that ma huang curbs the food desire by suppressing the NPY expression under food-deprivation conditions.

Protective effect of aqueous extract of Ginseng radix against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Ginseng radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER (Araliaceae), is one of the best-known Oriental medicinal herbs with numerous therapeutic applications. To investigate whether Ginseng radix possesses a protective effect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP(+))-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal cells, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on PC12 neuronal cells. Cells treated with MPP(+) exhibited various apoptotic features, while cell pretreated with Ginseng radix prior to MPP(+) exposure showed a decrease in the occurrence of apoptotic features. These results suggest that Ginseng radix may exert a protective effect against MPP(+)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Acupuncture increases nitric oxide synthase expression in hippocampus of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In the present study, the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli acupoint on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was investigated via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry. Animals were divided into four groups: the control group, the nondiabetic and acupunctured group, the STZ-induced diabetes group, and the STZ-induced diabetes and acupunctured group. From the results, NADPH-d-positive neurons in the hippocampus were decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rats, while acupuncture increased NOS expression significantly under diabetic conditions. In the present study, it can be suggested that acupuncture treatment may modulate NOS activity in the hippocampus under diabetic conditions.

Treadmill exercise suppresses diabetes-induced increment of neuropeptide Y expression in the hypothalamus of rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with serious sequelae in humans. Hyperphagia is a characteristic symptom of diabetes and is a central nervous system-mediated disorder. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino-acid peptide and is concentrated in the hypothalamus which is an appetite-regulating area. NPY is known to stimulate appetite and decrease energy expenditure. In the present study, the effect of treadmill exercise on the hypothalamic NPY expression in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes was investigated via immunohistochemistry. Enhanced NPY expression in the paraventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus was observed in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Treadmill exercise suppressed a diabetes-induced increase of NPY expression. The present results suggest the possibility that treadmill exercise inhibits diabetes-induced increment of the desire for food.

Acupuncture suppresses ischemia-induced increase in c-Fos expression and apoptosis in the hippocampal CA1 region in gerbils.

Acupuncture has been used for the enhancement of functional recovery from various disorders including stroke. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on the c-Fos expression and apoptosis in the hippocampal CA1 region of gerbils following transient global ischemia were investigated via immunohistochemistry for c-Fos and caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Enhanced Fos, TUNEL, and caspase-3 positivities were detected in the hippocampal CA1 region in the ischemic gerbils. Acupunctural treatment suppressed the ischemia-induced increment in the number of Fos-, TUNEL-, and caspase-3-positive cells: the most potent suppressive effect was observed at the Zusanli acupoint. These results suggest that acupunctural treatment alleviates ischemia-induced apoptosis and may aid in the recovery following ischemic cerebral injury.