Seo Young Kang

Autophagic modulation by rosuvastatin prevents rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease.

Statins have been reported to have neuroprotective effects through anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and statin can also modulate autophagic signaling in an oxygen-toxicity models. Therefore, we investigated the effects of statin on autophagy markers and evaluated the neuroprotective effect of rosuvastatin against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity. As an in vitro model of Parkinsons disease(PD) we adopted the rotenone-induced neurotoxicity model in SH-SY5Y cells. Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay, and to detect the expression of LC3 and α-synuclein, immunofluorescence analysis was performed. Intracellular signaling proteins associated with autophagy were explored via immunoblotting. Treatment with rosuvastatin alone increased the levels of mTOR-independent/upstream autophagy markers, including Beclin-1 and AMPK. Rotenone treatment of SH-SY5Y cells reduced their viability and α-synuclein expression; simultaneous exposure to rosuvastatin significantly restored these parameters. Rotenone enhanced mTOR expression and suppressed Beclin-1 expression, indicating suppression of the autophagic system. However, combined treatment with rosuvastatin also restored the Beclin-1 expression and decreased mTOR expression. We demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of statin in SH-SY5Y cells against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity, as well as the modulation of ɑ-synuclein expression. The neuroprotective mechanism is likely to be associated with enhanced autophagy. The neuroprotective effect of statin on rotenone-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity with modulation of autophagy provides a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PD.

Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease in a Korean population: Revisited.

Recently, the effect of genetic variants in the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene on Parkinsons disease (PD) has gained interest. However, the precise relationship between VDR polymorphisms and PD remains unclear. In Korea, one study reported an association between VDR gene polymorphisms and PD. However, this study was conducted with a small sample size, and only the Bsml locus was evaluated. Therefore, further investigations about the relationship between VDR polymorphisms and PD are necessary in a Korean population. A total of 300 subjects were included in this study. One hundred and forty-six PD patients were diagnosed according to the United Kingdom Parkinsons Disease Society Brain Bank (UKPDBB) criteria with abnormal dopamine transporter imaging, and 154 healthy control subjects were also enrolled. We used a TaqMan genotyping assay to identify four SNPs of the VDR gene, including BsmI, FokI, ApaI, and TaqI (rs731236, rs2228570, rs7976091, and rs731236). A significant association was not noted between the risk of PD and genetic polymorphisms in the four loci in a Korean population. However, when the genetic variants of the VDR gene were analyzed after adjusting for the serum 25-OH vitamin D3 level, the TaqI and BsmI minor allele increased the risk of PD. Our data suggest no correlation between PD and the VDR polymorphisms, including BsmI, FokI, ApaI, and TaqI, in a Korean population; however, the results should be interpreted carefully because gene-environment interactions may exist. Further investigations of the VDR and its relationship with PD are required to identify the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of PD.

Prevalence of Sexual Dysfunction and Associated Risk Factors in Middle-Aged and Elderly Korean Men in Primary Care.

Although several studies have individually investigated the risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), few studies have considered ED, PE, and LOH as categories of sexual dysfunction (SD) within the same population. We therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence of SD and its associated risk factors among men in primary care. Study participants were enrolled by 18 family physicians from 15 hospital-based family practices in Korea between August 2010 and May 2011. Participants answered a questionnaire regarding their demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors as well as the Korean versions of the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male, the International Index of Erectile Function, and the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool questionnaires. SD prevalence was 64.9% among study participants who were ≥ 40 years of age. ED prevalence was 43.7%, PE prevalence was 38.6%, and LOH prevalence was 16.8%. SD prevalence was significantly associated with increased age, overweight, hypertension, diabetes, and depression. These findings highlight the importance of screening questions for SD in primary care, especially among older male patients with the identified risk factors.

Relationship between low handgrip strength and quality of life in Korean men and women

PurposeHandgrip strength is strongly related to muscle power in the extremities and is an important index for diagnosing sarcopenia. We evaluated the relationship between handgrip strength and quality of life (QoL) in Korean men and women.MethodsWe analyzed 4620 participants (2070 men and 2550 women) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI-3 (2015). Low handgrip strength was defined as the lower quartile of handgrip strength in the study population. QoL was evaluated according to the European Quality of Life Scale-Five Dimensions (EQ-5D). The relationship between handgrip strength and QoL was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe odds ratios (ORs) for low handgrip strength significantly increased as age increased for both men and women. The ORs for low handgrip strength increased as body mass index decreased in men. In men with low handgrip strength, the OR for having problems in mobility (OR 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25–2.98) and having pain or discomfort (1.53, 1.04–2.24) significantly increased. In women with low handgrip strength, the OR for having problems in mobility (2.12, 1.02–2.87), problems in usual activities (2.04, 1.46–2.85), and having pain or discomfort (1.48, 1.15–1.90) significantly increased.ConclusionMen with low handgrip strength had poor QoL on the mobility and pain/discomfort dimensions of EQ-5D, whereas women with low handgrip strength had poor QoL on mobility, usual activities, and pain/discomfort dimensions. Management to improve handgrip strength is necessary for achieving better QoL.

Correction: The Effect of Lifestyle Changes on Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients

[This corrects the article on p. 173 in vol. 38, PMID: 28775806.].

Family Functioning and Communication in Spouses of Patients with Parkinsonism

Background Patients with parkinsonism exhibit motor symptoms, cognitive impairment, and neuropsychiatric changes, and these symptoms increase caregiver burden. Family dynamics can be influenced by the presence of comorbidities, which is especially important in diseases causing caregiver burden. We investigated the effects of spousal parkinsonism on family functioning and communication. Methods Couples without parkinsonism, who visited hospital-based family practices, were recruited by 28 family physicians from 22 hospitals between April 2009 and June 2011; patients with parkinsonism and their spouses were recruited from a single institution. The participants completed questionnaires on demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, family functioning (the Korean version of the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale [FACES] III), and family communication (the Family Communication Scale of the FACES-IV). We compared family functioning and communication between spouses of the patients with and without parkinsonism. Results The mean family adaptability and cohesion scores of the spouses of the patients with parkinsonism were 23.09±6.48 and 32.40±8.43, respectively, whereas those of the control group were 23.84±5.88 and 34.89±7.59, respectively. Family functioning and family communication were significantly different between the spouses of individuals with and without parkinsonism. After adjusting for age, sex, income, and cardiovascular disease in the logistic regression analysis, family functioning was found to significantly deteriorate in the spouses of patients with parkinsonism but not the control group. Family communication decreased significantly in spouses of patients with parkinsonism. Conclusion Family functioning and family communication significantly deteriorated in spouses of patients with parkinsonism.