Kwak HK, et al. Korean J Community Nutr. 2011 Dec;16(6):672-682. http://dx.doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2011.16.6.672

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cranberry power on antioxidant defense system in rats fed an atherogenic diet and injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 5 groups: normal diet+saline (NS), atherogenic diet+saline (AS), atherogenic diet+LPS (AL), atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C5), and atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C10). Total antioxidant status measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) was significantly reduced by LPS injection (24%) and was restored by the cranberry powder treatment (P<0.05). In addition, the mean level of plasma total phenolics was significantly decreased by LPS injection (P<0.05) and tended to be increased when cranberry powder was incorporated in to the diet. Activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) tended to be lowered by LPS injection and declined further in cranberry powder fortified groups. Overall results indicate that dietary cranberry powder may provide appropriate antioxidants to counter the diminished antioxidant status induced by exposing hypercholesterolemic rats to LPS.

Background/Objectives: Although vitamin D has been associated with sarcopenia in older adults, evidence across age groups remains limited. This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and muscle health in Korean adults aged ≥19 years. Methods: Data utilized in this study were obtained from the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IX-1. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were analyzed in relation to appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), grip strength, and sarcopenia using multivariable regression models. Results: Among 3,920 participants, 46.5% had VDD, with the highest prevalence observed in younger adults. After adjusting for age, body mass index, energy intake, and other confounding factors, serum 25(OH)D levels showed a positive association with ASM in middle-aged men (β = 0.005; p = 0.007) and with maximal handgrip strength in young men (β = 0.097; p = 0.048). Among older men, those with VDD had significantly higher odds of low muscle mass (OR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.10–3.02) and sarcopenia (OR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.03–5.16) than those without VDD, after adjusting for potential confounders. No significant associations were observed in women. Conclusions: These results suggest that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may benefit muscle health in men. Further prospective or interventional studies are needed to more accurately assess the effects of vitamin D on muscle health.

Lee SB, et al. Korean J Community Nutr. 2015 Dec;20(6):411-422. http://dx.doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2015.20.6.411