Fucoidan is an l-fucose-enriched sulfated polysaccharide isolated from brown algae and marine invertebrates. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus on alcohol-induced murine liver damage. Liver injury was induced by oral administration of 25% alcohol with or without fucoidan (30 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg) for seven days. Alcohol administration increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels, but these increases were suppressed by the treatment of fucoidan. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a liver fibrosis-inducing factor, was highly expressed in the alcohol-fed group and human hepatoma HepG2 cell; however, the increase in TGF-β1 expression was reduced following fucoidan administration. Treatment with fucoidan was also found to significantly reduce the production of inflammation-promoting cyclooygenase-2 and nitric oxide, while markedly increasing the expression of the hepatoprotective enzyme, hemeoxygenase-1, on murine liver and HepG2 cells. Taken together, the antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidan on alcohol-induced liver damage may provide valuable insights into developing new therapeutics or interventions.

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So-Ra Park, Hyo-Lyun Ro, and Seung Namkoong. KSPM 2017;12:83-91. https://doi.org/10.13066/kspm.2017.12.1.83

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to analyze changes in movements of the neck, trunk and hip according to foot position while performing sit-to-stand (STS) exercises from a height-fixed chair. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects consisted of 22 university students (12 males and 10 females). STS was conducted using a height-fixed chair at three positions: symmetric foot position, right foot position, and left foot position. Through three-dimensional motion analyzer, the movements of the neck, trunk, and hip were analyzed. [Results] While performing STS, the height was more influential on changed in angle of the neck, trunk, and hip. Moreover, when the height of the chair and the height of the subject were not matched correctly, more effective STS could be achieved when both of feet were laid symmetrically rather than at the other two positions. [Conclusion] It is necessary to employ an appropriate chair height that is matched with the height of the patients when therapy using STS is performed.

Objectives: This study aims to identify the effects of circuit weight training and weight training on foot pressure. Methods/ Statistical Analysis: The 20 young participants were divided into a Circuit Weight Training Group (CWTG) and a Weight Training Group (WTC) with ten participants in each group. A gait analyzer was utilized to assess on plantar pressure of subjects. The plantar pressure of ten spots was measured and analyzed. A paired samples t-test was used before and after the exercise in the CWTG and the WTG. Findings: This study shows the two groups’ changes in plantar pressure after the exercise as compared to before the exercise. The CWTG saw a significant increase in plantar pressure in two of the ten areas (F6, R1) and the WTG saw a significant increase in five of the ten areas (F4, F5, F6, R3, R4). After the four-week exercise program, the WTG’s plantar pressure significantly increased in five of the ten areas of the sole, with a significant increase in the middle foot. The CWTG’s plantar pressure significantly increased in two of the ten areas of the sole, the great toes and the outer areas of the heels. This means that the CWTG’s plantar pressure is closest to the normal movement of plantar pressure. Improvements/Applications: The CWTG exercise method resulted in a normal gait pattern, which had a more positive effect on gait than weight exercise.