Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alcohol is oxidized to toxic and carcinogenic acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and further oxidized to a non-toxic acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). There are two major ALDH isoforms, cytosolic and mitochondrial, encoded by ALDH1 and ALDH2 genes, respectively. The ALDH2 polymorphism is associated with flushing response to alcohol use. Emerging evidence shows that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species encode alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) mediate alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism, respectively. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial was designed to study the effects of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotic mixture in humans and assessed their effects on alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolism. Here, twenty-seven wild types (ALDH2*1/*1) and the same number of heterozygotes (ALDH2*2/*1) were recruited for the study. The enrolled participants were randomly divided into either the probiotic (Duolac ProAP4) or the placebo group. Each group received a probiotic or placebo capsule for 15 days with subsequent crossover. Primary outcomes were measurement of alcohol and acetaldehyde in the blood after the alcohol intake. Blood levels of alcohol and acetaldehyde were significantly downregulated by probiotic supplementation in subjects with ALDH2*2/*1 genotype, but not in those with ALDH2*1/*1 genotype. However, there were no marked improvements in hangover score parameters between test and placebo groups. No clinically significant changes were observed in safety parameters. These results suggest that Duolac ProAP4 has a potential to downregulate the alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations, and their effects depend on the presence or absence of polymorphism on the ALDH2 gene.

Hypertension and dyslipidemia often occur as comorbidities, with both being strong risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Abnormal liver function test could reflect a potential CVD risk even in patients with mild dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to assess the compounding relationship between liver enzymes and cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with mild dyslipidemia. The present analysis was performed among 438 participants who had enrolled in at least one of the nine clinical studies done at the Chonbuk National University Hospital between 2009 and 2019. Significant linear increasing trends were observed in blood pressure level and other cardiovascular risk factors across quartiles of serum γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT), with the increment in hypertension prevalence occurring across the quartiles of GGT and ALT. On multivariate logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios for hypertension, adjusted for smoking, drinking and obesity, in the highest quartiles of GGT, ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were 3.688, 1.617, 1.372, and 1.166, respectively. Our study indicates that GGT is a superior marker for predicting CVD risk among liver enzymes. Routine screening of plasma GGT levels in patients with mild dyslipidemia will allow for early detection of CVD.

S: Background: Standardized Korean red ginseng extract has become the best-selling influenza-like illness (ILI) remedy in Korea, yet much controversy regarding the efficacy of the Korean red ginseng (KRG) in reducing ILI incidence remains. The aim of the study is to assess the efficacy of the KRG extract on the ILI incidence in healthy adults. Methods/Design: We will conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at the onset of the influenza seasons. A total of 100 subjects 30-70 years of age will be recruited from the general populations. The subjects will be instructed to take 9 capsules per day of either the KRG extract or a placebo for a period of 3 months. The primary outcome measure is to assess the frequency of ILI onset in participated subjects. Secondary variable measures will be included severity and duration of ILI symptoms. The ILI symptoms will be scored by subjects using a 4-point scale. Discussion: This study is a randomized placebo controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of the KRG extract compared to placebo and will be provided valuable new information about the clinical and physiological effects of the KRG extract on reduction of ILI incidence including flu and upper respiratory tract infections. The study has been pragmatically designed to ensure that the study findings can be implemented into clinical practice if KRG extract can be shown to be an effective reduction strategy in ILI incidence. Trial Registration: NCT01478009.

Male climacteric syndrome (MCS) is a medical condition that can affect middle-aged men whose testosterone levels begin to decline considerably. These symptoms may include fatigue, decreased libido, mood swings, and disturbed sleep. MCS can be managed with lifestyle modifications and testosterone replacement. However, testosterone therapy may cause number of side effects, including an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of unripe black raspberry extract (BRE) against MCS and voiding dysfunction in men with andropause symptoms. A total of 30 subjects were enrolled and randomly assigned to the BRE group (n = 15) or the placebo group (n = 15). Participants were supplemented with 4800 mg BRE or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. The impact of BRE was assessed using the Aging Male’s Symptoms (AMS scale), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the IPSS quality of life index (IPSS-QoL). Additionally, male sex hormones, lipid profiles, and anthropometric indices were assessed 6 and 12 weeks after treatment. The AMS scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the BRE group, the total IPSS and IPSS-QoL scores decreased significantly after 12 weeks compared to baseline (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference compared to the placebo group. However, a significant difference was observed in the IPSS voiding symptoms sub-score compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, LDL-C and TC levels were also significantly lower in the BRE group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). Collectively, the study provides strong evidence supporting the safety of BRE as a functional food and its supplementation potentially enhances lipid metabolism and alleviates MCS and dysuria symptoms, limiting the development of BPH.

S: Background: Allergic disease is a consequence of exposure to normally innocuous substances that elicit the activation of mast cells. Mast-cell-mediated allergic response is involved in many diseases such as anaphylaxis, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, asthma and allergic dermatitis. The development of food products for the prevention of allergic disease is an important subject in human health. The chungkookjang (CKJ) has been reported to exhibit antiallergic inflammatory activity. Therefore, the aim of the study is to examine the effects of the CKJ to reduce histamine-induced wheal and flare skin responses.Methods/Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 60 healthy subjects will be carried out. Sixty volunteers (aged 20-80) who gave a written consent before entering the study will be randomized in two groups of thirty subjects each. The skin prick test with histamine solution of 10 mg/ml will be performed on the ventral forearm, 10 cm from the elbow. The subjects will be instructed to take 35 g per day of either the CKJ pills or a placebo pills for a period of 3 months. Diameters of wheal and flare will be assessing 15 minutes after performing the above-mentioned skin prick test. The primary outcome is change in wheal and flare responses. Secondary outcomes will be include change in serum histamine, immunoglobulin E, cytokines (interferon-gamma, interleukin-4, -10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and eosinophil cationic protein.Discussion: This study will show the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the CKJ in their skin activity when histamine is the challenging agent as occurs in the clinical situation. And the present protocol will confirm the efficacy and safety of the CKJ for allergy symptoms, suggesting more basic knowledge to conduct further randomized controlled trials (RCT). If this study will be successfully performed, the CKJ will be an alternative dietary supplemental remedy for allergy patients.Trial Registration: NCT01402141