Search

The Mahalanobis Taguchi system (MTS) is a predictive and diagnostic statistical method for classifying normal and abnormal data in multivariate cases. The objective was to apply the MTS to predict Sasang constitution (SC) by using body measurements for classification of SC type. After surveying nine Oriental medical clinics, TY type (N = 9) participants of low proportion were excluded. Therefore, 511 subjects were recruited and body shape information was collected. The classifications for both sexes were analyzed using the MTS. The classification rates of SC type for the Taeeumin (TE) and Soeumin (SE) types in male and female subjects were 81.15 and 74.54%, respectively. However, the SE type and Soyangin (SY) type were indistinguishable. This study shows that an analysis using the MTS based on body shape information, may be highly useful for classifications of the SE and TE types, but should not be used to distinguish the SE and SY types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been suggested that an approach to hypertension based on the constitutional make-up of an individual may be effective. We conducted a retrospective chart review to explore the association of Sasang constitution with hypertension. The results show that the prevalence of hypertension was highest in the Taeeum (TE) constitutional type, and that the TE constitutional type can act as an independent risk factor for hypertension (OR in TE group == 1.37 (CI 1.06-1.78) (vs. non-TE group)). This indicates that the Sasang constitutional type could explain the variability in individual susceptibilities to hypertension, suggesting a novel constitution-based approach to hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In adipose tissue metabolism, cytokines were major regulators. mRNA expression studies show that adipocytes can synthesize both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and several interleukins (ILs), notably IL-1 beta (IL-1β) and IL-6. In particular, IL-1β expression is under strong genetic control. We examined the relationship among obesity, polymorphism of the IL-1β at position +3953 in exon 5, and Sasang constitution. In a group of 181 healthy females with a marked variation in body mass index (BMI), we determined the genotype of IL-1β by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assays. A significant decrease was found for the IL-1β T allele in the overweight group (BMI 25 ∼ 29 kg/m2) compared with the lean group with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 (P = .049, odds ratio [OR] = 0.296). Carriers of T allele in the heterozygous or homozygous form did not show a significant difference in physical and clinical characteristics. In addition, in Taeumin female subjects, the frequency of IL-1β T allele was apparently decreased in the overweight group (BMI 25 ∼ 29 kg/m2) compared with the lean group with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 (P = .007, OR = 0.152). In overweight women, we found an association between the +3953 C/T polymorphism in the IL-1β gene and BMI. In addition, we found an association among IL-1β polymorphism, obesity, and Sasang constitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytokines appear to be the major regulators of adipose tissue metabolism. Interleukin- 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) serum levels are increased in human obesity, and are under strong genetic control. The hypothesis was tested that the IL-1ra gene might be a candidate for obesity. Furthermore, the relationship was investigated between Sasang constitution and IL-1ra polymorphism. The frequency of a penta-allelic 86-bp tandem repeat (VNTR) in the intron 2 of IL-1ra gene in 67 lean (BMI 2 ), 133 overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m 2 ) and 61 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 ) otherwise healthy Korean subjects was investigated. Total fat mass and percentage body fat were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Subjects were discriminated into four types by QSCC II program as well as clinical data (weight, height, blood pressure, etc.); Teaeumin, Taeyangin, Soyangin, and Soeumin. Genomic DNA was extracted and used for polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping of IL-1ra. The genotypic, or allelic distribution did not differ markedly between the three groups. The relative risk of being obese in comparison with lean was twofold increased in allele 2 carriers, although it was not statistically significant. Carriers of the allele 2 did not show a significant difference in physical and clinical characteristics. However, the relative risk of being obese in comparison with lean was increased in Taeumin subjects ( p = .050), and so was in IL-1ra A2- carriers ( p = .047). No relationship was found between the IL-1ra polymorphism and BMI in Korean women, but the authors first attempted to find an association among IL-1ra polymorphism, obesity, and Sasang constitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]