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Aims Tissue transglutaminase (tTG) is induced in injured and remodelling tissues, and modulates cellular phenotype, while contributing to matrix cross-linking. Our study tested the hypothesis that tTG may be expressed in the pressure-overloaded myocardium, and may regulate cardiac function, myocardial fibrosis and chamber remodelling. Methods and results In order to test the hypothesis, wild-type and tTG null mice were subjected to pressure overload induced through transverse aortic constriction. Moreover, we used isolated cardiac fibroblasts and macrophages to dissect the mechanisms of tTG-mediated actions. tTG expression was upregulated in the pressure-overloaded mouse heart and was localized in cardiomyocytes, interstitial cells, and in the extracellular matrix. In contrast, expression of transglutaminases 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and FXIII was not induced in the remodelling myocardium. In vitro, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 stimulated tTG synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts and in macrophages through distinct signalling pathways. tTG null mice had increased mortality and enhanced ventricular dilation following pressure overload, but were protected from diastolic dysfunction. tTG loss was associated with a hypercellular cardiac interstitium, reduced collagen cross-linking, and with accentuated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 activity in the pressure-overloaded myocardium. In vitro, tTG did not modulate TGF-β-mediated responses in cardiac fibroblasts; however, tTG loss was associated with accentuated proliferative activity. Moreover, when bound to the matrix, recombinant tTG induced synthesis of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 through transamidase-independent actions. Conclusions Following pressure overload, endogenous tTG mediates matrix cross-linking, while protecting the remodelling myocardium from dilation by exerting matrix-preserving actions.

Background: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a once-a-day 5 mg dose of tadalafil, prescribed for 8 weeks, on the quality of life (QoL) of South Korean men with andropause symptoms, including erectile dysfunction (ED), using a single group, open-labeled, before-and-after preliminary trial. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of tadalafil for ED. Methods: Forty South Korean men (>35 years of age) with andropause symptoms including ED were enrolled into our trial. Andropause syndrome was defined using the androgen deficiency in aging males (ADAM) questionnaire and other screening tests, including testosterone levels. The following outcome measures were obtained at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks of tadalafil treatment: physical examination, adverse effects, Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12) score, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and free radical testing. Results: Treatment increased the SF-12 Mental component score, used as a proxy measure of quality of life, from baseline to at 4 and 8 weeks (P

Endotoxins are known to be associated with the occurrence of various chronic diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the role of endotoxins in the pathogenesis of colon polyps through a case-control study. A total of 145 subjects (74 subjects in the polyp group and 71 subjects in the control group) had undergone a colonoscopy. Age, body mass index (BMI) and endotoxin levels were found to be significantly higher in the polyp group than in the control group. The endotoxin level was still significantly higher in the polyp group than in the control group, even after age and BMI had been adjusted (polyp group 0.108 ± 0.007 EU/mL, control group 0.049 ± 0.008 EU/mL, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, the endotoxin level significantly increased in accordance with the number of colon polyps (one-polyp group, 0.088 ± 0.059 EU/mL; two-polyp group, 0.097 ± 0.071 EU/mL; three-or-more-polyp group, 0.149 ± 0.223 EU/mL). The endotoxin levels also significantly increased in groups with tubular adenoma with high-grade dysplasia (hyperplastic polyp group, 0.109 ± 0.121 EU/mL; tubular adenoma with low grade dysplasia group, 0.103 ± 0.059 EU/mL; tubular adenoma with high grade dysplasia group, 2.915 ± 0.072 EU/mL). In conclusion, the serum level of endotoxins is quantitatively correlated with colon polyps.

Introduction. Fatigue is a common symptom, but only a few effective treatments are available. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of the human placental extract solution, which has been known to have a fatigue recovery effect.Methods. A total of 315 subjects were randomly assigned to three groups: group 1 (with Unicenta solution administration), group 2 (with exclusively human placental extract administration, excluding other ingredients from the Unicenta solution), and the placebo group. Subsequently, solutions were administered for four weeks.Results. The fatigue recovery rate was 71.00% in group 1, 71.72% in group 2, and 44.21% in the placebo group, which show statistically significant differences between the group 1 and the placebo group (Pvalue = 0.0002), and between group 2 and the placebo group (Pvalue = 0.0001).Conclusion. The human placental extract solution was effective in the improvement of fatigue.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to study the appropriate cut-off value of visceral fat area (VFA) and waist-to-height ratio (WTHR) which increase the risk of obesity-related disorders and to validate the diagnostic criteria of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome in Korean children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total 314 subjects (131 boys and 183 girls) were included in this study. The subjects were selected from Korean children and adolescents who visited three University hospitals in Seoul and Uijeongbu from January 1999 to December 2009. All patients underwent computed tomography to measure VFA. RESULTS The cut-off value of VFA associated with an increase risk of obesity-related disorder, according to the receiver operating characteristics curve, was 68.57 cm² (sensitivity 59.8%, specificity 76.6%, p=0.01) for age between 10 to 15 years, and 71.10 cm² (sensitivity 72.3%, specificity 76.5%, p

Background: This study aimed to analyze visceral fat area (VFA) and the pattern of secretion of adiponectin, leptin, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10. It also studies the effect of VFA and adipocytokines on the risk of Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in adult Korean population. Methods: A patient group (PG) consisting of 121 patients, who were hospitalized for AMI from 2008 to 2009, and a control group (CG) consisting of 115 healthy adults, who visited the same hospital for health examination within the same period, were included in this study. Physical measurements were performed and VFA was measured using computed tomography. Lipid, metabolic index, adipocytokine levels were also measured after 12 hours of fasting. Results: BMI, waist circumference, levels of leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6 were significantly higher in the PG, while adiponectin level was significantly higher in the CG. According to the comparison study analyzed by gender, VFA level was significantly higher in the PG, and IL-10 level was significantly higher in the CG. After adjusting for the conventional risk factors (CRF) of AMI, regression analysis showed that adiponectin and IL-10 levels reduced the risk of AMI; whereas VFA, TNF-α, leptin, and IL-6 increased the same risk. Conclusion: It is postulated that adipocytokines and VFA 요 약 연구배경: 급성심근경색증은 복합적인 원인에 의해 발생하 지만 염증반응이 필수적인 역할을 하고 있다. 지방조직이 adipocytokine이라 불리는 염증성 cytokine을 분비한다고 알려 져 있어 급성심근경색 환자와 대조군을 대상으로 내장지방면 적, 아디포넥틴, 렙틴, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10의 분비 양상을 분석 하고, 급성심근경색 위험도를 얼마나 높이는지 동시에 살펴보 고자 한다. 방법: 2008년부터 2009년까지 의정부성모병원과 동산의료 원을 내원하여 급성심근경색을 진단받은 환자군과 동병원 건 강검진을 목적으로 내원한 자를 대조군으로 체질량지수, 체지 방률, CT를 이용한 복부 내장지방면적을 측정하고 12시간 공 복상태에서 지질, 대사지표 및 아디포넥틴, 렙틴, IL-6, IL-10 농도를 측정하였다. 결과: 대상자는 총 236명으로 환자군이 121명, 대조군이 115명이었다. 환자군에서 BMI, 허리둘레, 렙틴, TNF-a, IL-6 가 유의하게 높았고, 대조군에서, 아디포넥틴 수치가 유의하게 높았다. VFA, IL-10은 양 군 간의 차이는 있었으나, 통계적 유의성은 없었다. 그러나, 환자를 성별로 나눠서 비교했을 때 는 환자군에서 VFA가 유의하게 높았고, 대조군에서 IL-10이 유의하게 높았다. 급성심근경색의 고전적인 위험요소를 보정 한 후 분석한 결과 아디포넥틴, IL-10은 수치가 낮을 수록 급 성심근경색 위험도를 높였고, 내장지방면적, TNF-a, 렙틴, IL-6는 수치가 높을수록 급성심근경색 위험도를 높였다. 결론: 내장지방과 adipocytokine들은 급성심근경색의 고전 적인 관상동맥질환의 위험인자의 영향에서 벗어나서 독립적인 The Korean Journal of Obesity Vol. 21, No. 1, 2012