Postmenopausal women are vulnerable to aging and oxidative stress due to reduced estrogen. Previous studies have shown that Korean red ginseng (KRG) has beneficial effects on aging and antioxidant capacity. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of KRG on biological aging and antioxidant capacity in postmenopausal women. This study conducted a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants were randomly administered KRG or a placebo, and the following metrics were measured: mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) copy number as an indicator of biological aging and, total antioxidant status (TAS) as a marker of antioxidant capacity. Clinical symptoms of fatigue, as measured by the fatigue severity scale, were assessed before and after KRG administration. There were 63 participants, of whom 33 received KRG and 30 received a placebo. The mtDNA copy number (KRG group: 1.58 ± 2.05, placebo group: 0.28 ± 2.36, p = 0.023) and TAS (KRG group: 0.11 ± 0.25 mmol/L, placebo group: −0.04 ± 0.16 mmol/L, p = 0.011) increased and the fatigue severity scale (KRG group: −7 ± 12, placebo group: −1 ± 11, p = 0.033) decreased significantly more in the KRG group than the placebo group. KRG significantly increased the mtDNA copy number, total antioxidant status, and improved symptoms of fatigue in postmenopausal women.

Background and Aims: The fatty liver index (FLI) is a simple and non-invasive method for the diagnosis of fatty liver disease with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as liver-related mortality. We examined the association between FLI and 10-year CVD risk as determined by the Framingham risk score. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 7,240 individuals aged 30 to 69 years who underwent a health examination between 2015 and 2017. The FLI was calculated using an algorithm based on triglyceride, γ-glutamyltransferase, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess independent relationships between the FLI and Framingham risk score after adjusting for confounding variables. Results: The overall prevalence of fatty liver disease among study participants as assessed by an FLI ≥ 60 was 19.7%. Compared with non-hepatic steatosis (FLI < 30), the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for a high Framingham 10-year CVD risk ≥ 10% in individuals with hepatic steatosis (FLI ≥ 60) was 2.56 (1.97–3.33) after adjusting for age, gender, fasting plasma glucose, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, C-reactive protein, regular exercise, alcohol-drinking, and current smoking. Conclusions: The FLI was positively and independently associated with a Framingham 10-year CVD risk in the general Korean population. Our findings suggest that the FLI, a simple, useful, and economical index, may be an indicator of CVD events.

Purpose: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is an important modifiable risk factor predicting glaucoma progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that metabolic risk factors influence IOP. Nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is an emerging chronic liver disease that is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between NAFLD and intraocular pressure in Korean adults. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed a total of 7681 participants who visited a local health promotion center. NAFLD was defined via ultrasonography and patients were classified into 3 groups based on severity: normal, mild, and moderate to severe. We conducted multiple logistic regression analysis to examine the relationship between NAFLD and high IOP. We additionally performed multiple linear regression analysis to investigate the independent association between NAFLD and mean IOP. Results: Mean IOP levels significantly and linearly increased with increasing NAFLD grades. Compared with normal, the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for high IOP were 1.09 (0.96-1.24) for mild NAFLD and 1.28 (1.12-1.48) for moderate to severe NAFLD after adjusting for confounding factors. NAFLD severity was noticed as an independent factor associated with mean IOP levels using stepwise and enter methods for multiple linear regression analyses. Conclusions: NAFLD severity was associated with high IOP (>15 mm Hg) in Korean adults in a dose-dependent manner.