著者

Saori TAKAHASHI Taku YOSHIYA Kumiko YOSHIZAWA-KUMAGAYE Toshihiro SUGIYAMA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.36, no.3, pp.219-224, 2015-06-01 (Released:2015-06-24)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

37 53

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Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a carboxypeptidase which is highly homologous to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE2 produces vasodilator peptides angiotensin 1-7 from angiotensin II. In the present study, we synthesized various internally quenched fluorogenic (IQF) substrates (fluorophore-Xaa-Pro-quencher) based on the cleavage site of angiotensin II introducing N-terminal fluorophore N-methylanthranilic acid (Nma) and C-terminal quencher Nε-2,4- dinitrophenyl-lysine [Lys(Dnp)]. The synthesized mixed substrates “Nma-Xaa-Pro-Lys(Dnp)” were hydrolyzed by recombinant human (rh) ACE2. The amount of each product was determined by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with fluorescence detection and it was found that Nma-His-Pro-Lys(Dnp) is the most suitable substrate for rhACE2. The Km, kcat, and kcat/Km values of Nma-His-Pro-Lys(Dnp) on rhACE2 were determined to be 23.3 μM, 167 s−1, and 7.17 μM−1 s−1, respectively. Using the rhACE2 and the newly developed IQF substrate, we found rhACE2 inhibitory activity in soybean and isolated the active compound soybean ACE2 inhibitor (ACE2iSB). The physicochemical data on the isolated ACE2iSB were identical to those of nicotianamine. ACE2iSB strongly inhibited rhACE2 activity with an IC50 value of 84 nM. This is the first demonstration of an ACE2 inhibitor from foodstuffs.

著者

Masahiro TODA Kanehisa MORIMOTO Shingo NAGASAWA Kazuyuki KITAMURA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.27, no.1, pp.11-14, 2006 (Released:2006-03-15)

参考文献数

19

被引用文献数

37 44

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We assessed the stress relief effect of spa bathing by measuring sensitive salivary stress markers, cortisol and chromogranin A (CgA). From 12 healthy males, saliva samples were collected immediately before and after spa bathing, and 30 min after that. Salivary cortisol and CgA levels were determined by ELISA. Salivary cortisol levels decreased after spa bathing. This tendency was more pronounced in individuals with higher levels of stress. The high-stress group showed lower salivary CgA levels after spa bathing, while the low-stress group higher salivary CgA levels in the same condition. These findings suggest that the spa bathing has a moderate affect on the stress relief.

著者

Atsukazu KUWAHARA Kyoko MATSUDA Yuko KUWAHARA Shinji ASANO Toshio INUI Yoshinori MARUNAKA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.41, no.5, pp.199-216, 2020-10-16 (Released:2020-10-16)

参考文献数

182

被引用文献数

59

---

The microbiota-gut-brain axis transmits bidirectional communication between the gut and the central nervous system and links the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with peripheral gut functions. This communication occurs along the axis via local, paracrine, and endocrine mechanisms involving a variety of gut-derived peptide/amine produced by enteroendocrine cells. Neural networks, such as the enteric nervous system, and the central nervous system, including the autonomic nervous system, also transmit information through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Recent advances in research have described the importance of the gut microbiota in influencing normal physiology and contributing to disease. We are only beginning to understand this bidirectional communication system. In this review, we summarize the available data supporting the existence of these interactions, highlighting data related to the contribution of enteroendocrine cells and the enteric nervous system as an interface between the gut microbiota and brain.

著者

Mayumi Nagano Kuniyoshi Shimizu Ryuichiro Kondo Chickako Hayashi Daigo Sato Katsuyuki Kitagawa Koichiro Ohnuki

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.31, no.4, pp.231-237, 2010 (Released:2010-09-08)

参考文献数

27

被引用文献数

31 73 24

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Hericium erinaceus, a well known edible mashroom, has numerous biological activities. Especially hericenones and erinacines isolated from its fruiting body stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, which expects H. erinaceus to have some effects on brain functions and autonomic nervous system. Herein, we investigated the clinical effects of H. erinaceus on menopause, depression, sleep quality and indefinite complaints, using the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Indefinite Complaints Index (ICI). Thirty females were randomly assigned to either the H. erinaceus (HE) group or the placebo group and took HE cookies or placebo cookies for 4 weeks. Each of the CES-D and the ICI score after the HE intake was significantly lower than that before. In two terms of the ICI, “insentive” and “palpitatio”, each of the mean score of the HE group was significantly lower than the placebo group. “Concentration”, “irritating” and “anxious” tended to be lower than the placebo group. Our results show that HE intake has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety and these results suggest a different mechanism from NGF-enhancing action of H. erinaceus.

著者

Miro SMRIGA Toshihiko ANDO Masahisa AKUTSU Yasushi FURUKAWA Kiyoshi MIWA Yasushi MORINAGA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, no.2, pp.85-90, 2007 (Released:2007-05-16)

参考文献数

43

被引用文献数

18 45 26

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Dietary supplementation with an essential amino acid L-lysine has been shown to reduce chronic anxiety in humans with low dietary intake of L-lysine. A combination of L-lysine and L-arginine has been documented to normalize hormonal stress responses in humans with high trait anxiety. The present study was carried out in one hundred eight healthy Japanese adults. The aim of study was to find out whether a week-long oral treatment with L-lysine (2.64 g per day) and L-arginine (2.64 g per day) reduces trait and stress-induced state anxiety and basal levels of stress hormones. We confirmed that, without regard to gender, the amino acid treatment significantly reduced both trait anxiety and state anxiety induced by cognitive stress battery. In addition, we found that the treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine decreased the basal levels of salivary cortisol and chromogranin-A (a salivary marker of the sympatho-adrenal system) in male subjects. These results of this double-blind, placebo controlled and randomized study confirm the previous findings in humans and animals and point to a combination of L-lysine and L-arginine as a potentially useful dietary intervention in otherwise healthy humans with high subjective levels of mental stress and anxiety.

著者

Mayumi Watanabe Osamu Takano Chikako Tomiyama Hiroaki Matsumoto Takahiro Kobayashi Nobuatsu Urahigashi Nobuatsu Urahigashi Toru Abo

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.33, no.4, pp.243-248, 2012 (Released:2012-09-04)

参考文献数

24

被引用文献数

5 7

---

Skin rubdown using a dry towel (SRDT) to scrub the whole body is a traditional therapy for health promotion. To investigate its mechanism, 24 healthy male volunteers were studied. Body temperature, pulse rate, red blood cells (RBCs), serum levels of catecholamines and cortisol, blood gases (PO2, sO2, PCO2 and pH), lactate and glucose, and the ratio and number of white blood cells (WBCs) were assessed before and after SRDT. After SRDT, pulse rate and body temperature were increased. PO2, sO2 and pH were also increased and there was no Rouleaux formation by RBCs. Lactate level tended to increase, whereas that of glucose did not. Adrenaline and noradrenaline levels increased, indicating sympathetic nerve (SN) dominance with increase in granulocytes. WBC number and ratio were divided into two groups according to granulocyte ratio (≤ or

著者

Koichiro Mori Yutaro Obara Takahiro Moriya Satoshi Inatomi Norimichi Nakahata

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.32, no.1, pp.67-72, 2011 (Released:2011-03-04)

参考文献数

27

被引用文献数

36 48

---

The mushroom Hericium erinaceus has been used as a food and herbal medicine since ancient times in East Asia. It has been reported that H. erinaceus promotes nerve growth factor secretion in vitro and in vivo. Nerve growth factor is involved in maintaining and organizing cholinergic neurons in the central nervous system. These findings suggest that H. erinaceus may be appropriate for the prevention or treatment of dementia. In the present study, we examined the effects of H. erinaceus on amyloid β(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. Mice were administered 10 μg of amyloid β(25-35) peptide intracerebroventricularly on days 7 and 14, and fed a diet containing H. erinaceus over a 23-d experimental period. Memory and learning function was examined using behavioral pharmacological methods including the Y-maze test and the novelobject recognition test. The results revealed that H. erinaceus prevented impairments of spatial short-term and visual recognition memory induced by amyloid β(25-35) peptide. This finding indicates that H. erinaceus may be useful in the prevention of cognitive dysfunction.

著者

Chikako TOMIYAMA-MIYAJI Mayumi WATANABE Takahiko OHISHI Yasuhiro KANDA Eisuke KAINUMA Hanaa Y. BAKIR JiWei SHEN HongWei REN Masashi INOUE Keiho TAJIMA XueFeng BAI Toru ABO

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, no.3, pp.119-125, 2007 (Released:2007-07-12)

参考文献数

23

被引用文献数

12 14

---

Since high levels of hyperthermia induce immunosuppression to a certain extent (i.e., granulocytosis and lymphocytopenia) in patients, we applied mild hyperthermia in volunteers using equipment enabling well-controlled hyperthermia. Restricted control of rectal temperature at 39.4 (± 0.2)°C for 30 min was conducted and various parameters of the body were examined. The most prominent change observed during exposure to hyperthermia was elevated levels of pH and PO2 in the blood, even in the venous blood. A transient elevation of ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone in the blood was also seen during this time. In parallel with this phenomenon, the number of total lymphocytes and those of its subsets (especially CD57+ or CD56+ NK cells and NKT cells) increased. More interestingly, the proportion of HLA-DR (MHC class II antigens) increased in NK and NKT cells, and their intensity on the surface of CD20+ B cells increased. These results suggest that mild hyperthermia is important for modulation of the functions of the circulatory, endocrine and immune systems.

著者

Takashi HAYASHI Satoru TSUJII Tadao IBURI Tamiko TAMANAHA Keiko YAMAGAMI Rieko ISHIBASHI Miyo HORI Shigeko SAKAMOTO Hitoshi ISHII Kazuo MURAKAMI

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.28, no.6, pp.281-285, 2007 (Released:2008-01-18)

参考文献数

26

被引用文献数

32 40

---

To elucidate the sustainable effects of laughter on gene expression, we recruited type 2 diabetic patients who were in-patient for receiving self-management education and examined time-dependent regulation for gene expression by laughter. Two-day experiment was performed. On one day, the patients watched comic video and laughed together with hospital staffs. On the other day, they participated in an inpatient diabetes educational program. Blood samples were collected before and 1.5, 4 h after watching comic video or spending lecture time, and changes in gene expression were comprehensively analyzed by microarray technique. Of the 41,000 genes analyzed, the laughter relatively up-regulated 39 genes, among which, 27 genes were relatively increased in the expression for all the observation period after watching comic video. By functional classification of these genes, 14 genes were found to be related to natural killer cell activity. No genes were included that are directly involved in blood glucose regulation, though successive suppression of postprandial blood glucose levels was observed. These results suggest that the laughter influences the expression of many genes classified into immune responses, and may contribute to amelioration of postprandial blood glucose elevation through a modulation of NK cell activity caused by up-regulation of relating genes.

著者

Satoshi Haramizu Fuminori Kawabata Koichiro Ohnuki Naohiko Inoue Tatsuo Watanabe Susumu Yazawa Tohru Fushiki

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.32, no.4, pp.279-284, 2011 (Released:2011-08-30)

参考文献数

22

被引用文献数

7 13 5

---

Enhancement of energy expenditure and reducing energy intake are crucial for weight control. Capsiate, a non-pungent capsaicin analog, is known to suppress body fat accumulation and reduce body weight by enhancing of energy expenditure in both mice and humans. However, it is poorly understood whether suppressing body fat accumulation by capsiate administration is equal to exercise or not. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of repeated administration of capsiate and exercise and to investigate the weight rebound after repeated capsiate administration and/or exercise. In the present study, we report that 2 weeks treatment of capsiate and exercise increased energy metabolism and suppressed body fat accumulation during 4 more weeks of ad libitum feeding. The body weight in capsiate and exercise groups was significantly lower than that of control group. The oxygen consumption was significanlty increased in capsiate and exercise groups than in the vehicle administered mice. In addition, the abdominal adipose tissue weight in capsiate and exercise groups was significantly lower than that of control group. These results indicate that suppressing body fat accumulation by capsiate intake is beneficial for maintaining an ideal body weight as exercise.

著者

Fuminori Kawabata Tomoko Tsuji

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.32, no.6, pp.387-393, 2011 (Released:2011-12-25)

参考文献数

14

被引用文献数

10 18

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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with a combination of fish oil, bilberry extract, and lutein on subjective symptoms of asthenopia in humans by a double- blind, randomized, parallel-group, and placebo-controlled trial. In the Active group, eleven subjects ingested a supplement containing omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish oil (docosahexaenoic acid 783 mg/day, eicosapentaenoic acid 162 mg/day), bilberry extract (anthocyanidin 59 mg/day), and lutein (17.5 mg/day) in soft gel capsule form, every day for 4 weeks. In the Placebo group, nine subjects ingested placebo capsules. Before and after supplementation, subjects completed a questionnaire to determine their asthenopia symptoms and were also assessed for mental fatigue symptom by the visual analog scale (VAS) test. Asthenopia symptoms such as “stiff shoulder, low back pain”, “frustration”, “dry-eye”, and “stuffy head” were improved in the Active group. Furthermore, a score of mental fatigue was improved after 4 weeks of supplementation, and no side effects were observed after the 4-week supplementation and a 2-week washout period in the Active group. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with the combination of omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish oil, bilberry extract, and lutein may safely improve subjective symptoms of asthenopia and mental fatigue in humans.

著者

Kimiko YAMAKAWA-KOBAYASHI Yuya OHHARA Takumi KAWASHIMA Yoshitatsu OHISHI Yasunari KAYASHIMA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.41, no.3, pp.131-138, 2020-06-01 (Released:2020-06-11)

参考文献数

40

被引用文献数

4

---

Increasing oxidative stress seems to be the result of an imbalance between free radical production and antioxidant defenses. During the course of aging, oxidative stress causes tissue/cellular damage, which is implicated in numerous age-related diseases. Carnosinase (CN or CNDP) is dipeptidase, which is associated with carnosine and/or glutathione (GSH) metabolism, those are the most abundant naturally occurring endogenous dipeptide and tripeptides with antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. In the present study, we generated Drosophila cndp (dcndp) mutant flies using the CRISPR/Cas9 system to study the roles of dcndp in vivo. We demonstrate that dcndp mutant flies exhibit shorter lifespan and increased sensitivity to paraquat or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative stress. These results suggest that dcndp maintains homeostatic conditions, protecting cells and tissues against the harmful effects of oxidative stress in the course of aging.

著者

Miho KANAZASHI Masayuki TANAKA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.44, no.5, pp.209-218, 2023-09-27 (Released:2023-09-30)

参考文献数

62

---

Electrical stimulation (ES) is effective for disuse-induced muscle atrophy. However, the acute effect of ES on muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown (MPB) remains unclear. We investigated the effect of a single-session ES treatment on mTORC1 signaling, MPS, and MPB in the soleus muscle of 2-week hindlimb unloaded rats. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 12 male) were randomly divided into control (CON) and hindlimb unloaded (HU) groups. After 2 weeks, the right soleus muscle was percutaneously stimulated and underwent supramaximal isometric contractions. The left soleus muscle served as an internal control. We collected soleus muscle samples 6 h after ES. Two weeks of HU decreased p70S6K and S6rp activation, downstream factors for mTORC1 signaling, and SUnSET method-assessed MPS, but increased the LC3-II/I ratio, an indicator of autophagy. ES on disused muscle successfully activated mTORC1 signaling but did not affect MPS. Contrary, ES decreased ubiquitinated proteins expression and LC3B-II/I ratio. HU might affect mTORC1 activation and MPS differently in response to acute ES possibly due to excessive ROS production caused by ES. Our findings suggest that ES applied to disused skeletal muscles may suppress MPB, but its effect on MPS appears to be attenuated.

著者

Yoshihiro OSAWA Takafumi MIZUSHIGE Sayuri JINNO Fumihito SUGIHARA Naoki INOUE Hideyuki TANAKA Yukihito KABUYAMA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.39, no.1, pp.1-11, 2018-02-01 (Released:2018-02-22)

参考文献数

35

被引用文献数

17 26

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A number of studies have shown that oral administration of collagen hydrolysate (CH) results in the absorption of di- and tri-peptides. In order to understand the dynamics of CH absorption and metabolism, molecular profiles of hydroxyproline (Hyp) and Hyp-containing peptides (HCPs) were analyzed by in situ perfusion of rat intestine and liver. The total amount of absorbed HCPs during 1 h of perfusion was 16.6 μmol, which was significantly higher than that of free Hyp (6.6 μmol). In addition, HCPs were also reliably detected in hepatic perfusate at the level higher than free Hyp. Thus, the results demonstrated that CH is absorbed predominantly as peptides, which subsequently enter systemic circulation. Size exclusion chromatography showed that perfusates include significant amount of HCPs larger than tripeptides, leading us to analyze these peptides in detail. Mass spectrometric analysis of intestinal perfusate finally identified three CH-derived peptides, which are surprisingly large as food-derived circulating peptides. Peptide quantitation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) revealed that di- and tri-peptides, which are previously identified as major peptides in circulating blood, comprise only a part of HCPs in intestinal and liver perfusate. Finally, analysis of portal vein blood revealed that the larger peptides, such as pentadecapeptide identified in this study, could be absorbed in vivo. Taken all together, this study showed that peptides which are larger than tripeptide could reach to the circulation system after administration of CH, revealing previously unknown dynamics of absorption of CH.

著者

Erwin Suwendi Hitoshi Iwaya Jae-Sung Lee Hiroshi Hara Satoshi Ishizuka

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.33, no.6, pp.329-336, 2012 (Released:2012-12-27)

参考文献数

28

被引用文献数

19 22

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Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis is an experimental model of ulcerative colitis, although the precise mechanism has not yet been elucidated. We investigate whether Zn deficiency affects the pathogenesis of colitis induced by DSS with a focus on immune responses. Male WKAH/Hkm Slc rats were fed either a Zn-adequate (ZA, 30 mg Zn/kg diet) as a control or Zndeficient (ZD, 5 mg Zn/kg diet) diet for 21 days and then treated with 2% DSS via deionized drinking water for 7 days. The disease activity index (DAI) was recorded daily throughout DSS treatment. Serum Zn concentrations were significantly lowered in rats fed the ZD diet than those fed the ZA diet at day 7 and 14. Surprisingly, DSS treatment considerably reduced the serum Zn in both groups. The rats fed the ZD diet showed exacerbated colitis based on clinical outcomes, including weight loss, increased DAI, and shortened colon length. An in vitro study corroborated these results, showing that a large amount of TNFα was induced by rat mesenteric leukocytes in response to lipopolysaccharide in ZD medium, but not in ZA medium. These results indicate that a modulation of TNFα production due to Zn deficiency influences disease activity in DSS-induced colitis. In addition, more attention should be given to Zn for prevention of colitis.

著者

Manuel Alejandro CAMPOS MEDINA Kenji IEMURA Akatsuki KIMURA Kozo TANAKA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.42, no.5, pp.203-219, 2021-09-21 (Released:2021-09-21)

参考文献数

49

被引用文献数

1

---

Chromosome oscillation during metaphase is attenuated in cancer cell lines, concomitant with the reduction of Aurora A activity on kinetochores, which results in reduced mitotic fidelity. To verify the correlation between Aurora A activity, chromosome oscillation, and error correction efficiency, we developed a mathematical model of kinetochore-microtubule dynamics, based on stochastic attachment/detachment events regulated by Aurora A activity gradient centered at spindle poles. The model accurately reproduced the oscillatory movements of chromosomes, which were suppressed not only when Aurora A activity was inhibited, but also when it was upregulated, mimicking the situation in cancer cells. Our simulation also predicted efficient correction of erroneous attachments through chromosome oscillation, which was hampered by both inhibition and upregulation of Aurora A activity. Our model provides a framework to understand the physiological role of chromosome oscillation in the correction of erroneous attachments that is intrinsically related to Aurora A activity.

著者

Kensuke Yasui Noriyuki Miyoshi Hiroki Tanabe Yoko Ishigami Ryuuta Fukutomi Shinjiro Imai Mamoru Isemura

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.32, no.2, pp.119-125, 2011 (Released:2011-05-03)

参考文献数

15

被引用文献数

2 3

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Many biological activities of green tea have been attributed to a major constituent, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We previously reported that EGCG and a catechin-rich green tea beverage modulated the gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), in the mouse liver. However, it remains to be examined whether or not a constituent other than EGCG contributes to the change in gene expression of these enzymes. In this study, we separated the hot water infusion of green tea leaves (GT) into an ethanol-soluble fraction (GT-E) and an EGCG-free water-soluble fraction (GT-W), and examined their effects using rat hepatoma H4IIE cells. The inclusion of GT, GT-E, and GT-W in the culture medium reduced the gene expression of G6Pase and PEPCK. GT-W caused a decrease in expression of the transcription factor HNF4α. Reduced levels of PEPCK and HNF4α proteins were demonstrated in the cells treated with GT-W. GT-W showed an activity similar to insulin, but different from EGCG. Administration of GT-W to mice for 4 weeks reduced the hepatic expression of G6Pase, PEPCK, and HNF4α. These results suggest that green tea contains some component(s) with insulin-like activity distinguishable from EGCG and that drinking green tea may help to prevent diabetes.

著者

Kensuke Yasui Noriko Paeng Noriyuki Miyoshi Takuji Suzuki Kyoko Taguchi Yoko Ishigami Ryuuta Fukutomi Shinjiro Imai Mamoru Isemura Tsutomu Nakayama

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.33, no.1, pp.9-13, 2012 (Released:2012-02-24)

参考文献数

18

被引用文献数

14 18

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Many biological activities of green tea have been attributed to a major constituent, (minus;)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). We previously reported that EGCG and an EGCG-free fraction derived from green tea modulated the gene expression of gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, in the mouse liver. EGCG is also known to affect the gene expression of enzymes related to lipid metabolism. However, it remains to be examined whether or not a constituent other than EGCG contributes to the change in gene expression of these enzymes. In this study, we prepared an EGCG-free water-soluble fraction (GT-W), and examined its effects on the hepatic gene expression of lipogenic enzymes in mice. The results of quantitative real-time PCR assays indicated that the dietary administration of GT-W for 4 weeks reduced the hepatic gene expression of lipogenic enzymes: fatty acid synthase, hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase alpha. Also, the gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor (Srebf)1 and/or Srebf2 was reduced, suggesting that the reduction of Srebfs contributed to the down-regulation of the lipogenic enzymes, since these transcription factors bind the promoter region to enhance their expression. The plasma levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were reduced with statistical significance in the group given a diet containing GT-W. These results suggest that in addition to EGCG, green tea contains some component(s) which may help to prevent arteriosclerosis and obesity.

著者

Kazuyoshi TAKEDA Ko OKUMURA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.42, no.5, pp.173-179, 2021-09-21 (Released:2021-09-21)

参考文献数

30

被引用文献数

5

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Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a key nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) intermediate, has been shown to ameliorate various pathologies in elderly mouse disease models. Natural killer (NK) cells are important innate immune cells; however, their functions decline with aging. In this study, we examined the effect of NMN treatment on NK cells in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of NMN augmented NK cell cytotoxic activity in both young and elderly B6 mice as well as young BALB/c mice. Oral administration of NMN also increased NK cell cytotoxicity in elderly B6 and BALB/c mice. However, the NK cell population was not increased in the mice whose NK cell cytotoxic activity was activated by NMN. Interestingly, NMN administration did not augment NK cell cytotoxic activity in IFN-γ deficient mice. These results suggest that NMN administration augments NK cell cytotoxic activity, but not cell number, in a manner dependent on IFN-γ in both young and elderly mice.

著者

Hiroki YOKOYAMA Shinichi OKADA Yuko YAMADA Koichi KITAMOTO Sumire INAGA Hironobu NAKANE Toshiyuki KAIDOH Kazuho HONDA Susumu KANZAKI Noriyuki NAMBA

出版者

Biomedical Research Press

雑誌

Biomedical Research (ISSN:03886107)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.41, no.2, pp.81-90, 2020-04-01 (Released:2020-04-19)

参考文献数

21

被引用文献数

5

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Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) is an important cause of both short- and long-term injury to renal allografts. Transplant glomerulopathy (TG) is strongly associated with ABMR and reduced graft survival. Ultrastructural changes in early-stage ABMR include TG as a duplication of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), which can be observed only by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) is a new technique that allows comparatively inexpensive, rapid, and convenient observations with high magnification. We analyzed human renal transplants using LVSEM and evaluated the ultrastructural changes representing TG in ABMR. GBM duplication was more clearly visible in the LVSEM images than in the light microscopy (LM) images. In the ABMR group, the cg score of the Banff classification was higher in 54% (7/13) of specimens for LVSEM images than for LM images. And 4 specimens exhibited duplication of the GBM analyzed by LVSEM, but not by LM. In addition, three-dimensional ultrastructural changes, such as coarse meshwork structures of GBM, were observed in ABMR specimens. The ABMR group also exhibited ultrastructural changes in the peritubular capillary basement membranes. In conclusion, analyses of renal transplant tissues using LVSEM allows the identification of GBM duplication and ultrastructural changes of basement membranes at the electron microscopic level, and is useful for early-stage diagnosis of ABMR.