Biofactors - Volume 22, issue 1-4

Article Type: Other

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 1-1, 2004

Authors: Tsukamoto, Yoshinori

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effect of menaquinone-7 (MK-7) on bone components and bone resorbing factors induced-bone resorption using the femoral-diaphyseal and – metaphyseal tissues obtained from elderly female rats in vitro were examined. Calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues in elderly females rats were significantly decreased as compared with that of young rats, indicating that aging causes a deterioration of bone formation. The presence of MK-7 …(10^{-6} -10^{-5} M) caused a significant prevention of reduction of biochemical components. On the other hand, the bone-resorbing factor, parathyroid hormone (1–34) (PTH; 10^{-7} M) and prostaglandin E_{2} (PGE_{2} ; 10^{-5} M) caused a significant decrease in calcium content in the diaphyseal and metaphyseal tissues. This decreases was completely inhibited in the presence of MK-7 (10^{-7} -10^{-5} M). In addition, MK-7 (10^{-7} -10^{-5} M) completely prevented the PTH (10^{-7} M) or PGE_{2} (10^{-5} M) induced increases in medium glucose consumption and lactic acid production by bone tissues, Furthermore, the effect of the prolonged intake of dietary MK-7 on bone loss in ovariectomized rats was investigated. As a result, it was found that the intake of experimental diets containing the fermented soybean (natto) with supplemental MK-7 caused significant elevations of MK-7 and γ-carboxylated osteocalcin concentration, a bio marker of bone formation, in the serum of both ovariectomized rats and normal subjects, suggesting that MK-7 may play an important role in the prevention of age-related bone loss. Show more

Keywords: menaquinone-7 (MK-7), vitamin K_{2}, bone formation, bone resorption, osteocalcin, osteoporosis

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 5-19, 2004

Authors: Kumagai, Hitomi | Koizumi, Atsushi | Sato, Noriko | Ishikawa, Yukako | Suda, Akihiro | Sakurai, Hidetoshi | Kumagai, Hitoshi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Soybean proteins were deamidated by cation-exchange resins after phytate, the inhibitor for calcium absorption from the small intestine, was removed in order to provide the enhancement function of calcium absorption to soybean proteins. About 92% of the phosphorus was removed from the soybean proteins by anion-exchange-resin treatment, indicating that most of the phytate was removed. About 70% of the acid amide was deamidated by cation-exchange-resin treatment, and phytate-removed and deamidated soybean proteins …(PrDS) having high calcium binding properties were obtained. PrDS were hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes and their calcium-binding properties and the enhancement function of the calcium absorption from the small intestine of rats were examined. As a result, PrDS retained their high calcium binding properties even after hydrolysis by digestive enzymes. In situ experiments showed that PrDS and their hydrolysates enhanced the calcium absorption from the intestine. Show more

Keywords: soybean protein, phytate-removal, deamidation, calcium absorption

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 21-24, 2004

Authors: Gralak, M.A. | Piastowska, A.W. | Leontowicz, H. | Leontowicz, M. | Antczak, A. | Kulasek, G.W. | Szara, T. | Narojek, T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Bone mineralization was studied in rats. Animals were divided into three feeding groups: LCP – diet with 13.5% crude protein in DM (5% of gluten, 10% of casein), HCP – diet with 21.2% CP in DM (8% of gluten, 10% of casein), and LSM – diet based on grain meals and meat-bone meal (21% CP in DM). After 28 days feeding, animals were euthanased by cervical dislocation and femur bones were collected, weighed and kept frozen until …analyses. Diets with 21% protein (HCP, LSM) significantly increased weight of femur bones. Despite of the substantially higher ash level (7.1%) in the LSM diet than in the LCP diet (3.4%), rats of both groups had the similar bone concentration of Ca (15.7 ± 1.1 vs. 17.4 ± 1.1 g/kg) and Zn (178.7 ± 7.9 vs. 173.0 ± 8.5 mg/kg). However bone density in LSM rats was significantly higher than in LCP ones. Although rats fed HCP diet had intermediate bone density, the bone concentration of Ca (11.4 ± 0.5 g/kg) and Zn (145.1 ± 2.9 mg/kg) was significantly lower, than in animals fed LCP and LSM diets. This was related to the very wide protein/calcium (37:1 g/g) and protein/zinc (5.3:1 g/mg) ratios in HCP diet. Those ratios were narrowest in the LSM diet: 16.2:1 (CP/Ca) and 2.6:1 (CP/Zn). It can be conluded that protein/mineral ratio in a diet is a very important factor in bone development, besides dietary protein and ash contents itselves. Show more

Keywords: bone density, protein, calcium, zinc, rat

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 25-28, 2004

Authors: Minakata, Kayoko | Kawai, Kaori | Horio, Fumihiko | Takeuchi, Hiroichi | Suzuki, Osamu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Mineral levels such as Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca and Mg in organs of spontaneously hypertensive osteogenic disorder Shionogi rat (SHR-od) were compared with those of normotensive osteogenic disorder Shionogi rat (ODS). The effect of vitamin C deficiency was also examined for both strains. Cu levels in kidney of SHR-od increased to 2.2 times and 5.0 times that of ODS at 6-week old and 30-week old, respectively, although the effect of vitamin C deficiency was not observed …in Cu levels of five organs examined. The effect of vitamin C deficiency appeared in the change in the other mineral levels almost similarly for both SHR-od and ODS rats at 30-week old; the decrease of Fe in liver, spleen and lung, whereas the increase of Zn in liver, Ca in heart and Mg in spleen, respectively. Show more

Keywords: hypertension, osteogenic disorder Shionogi rat, copper, kidney, ascorbic acid

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 29-31, 2004

Authors: Katsumata, Shin-ichi | Masuyama, Ritsuko | Koshihara, Moyuru | Matsuzaki, Hiroshi | Uehara, Mariko | Suzuki, Kazuharu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To determine the parathyroid hormone (PTH) action on kidney and bone by high phosphorus (P) diet, this study investigated PTH/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor mRNA expression in 6-week-old parathyroidectomized (PTX) rats received constant amount of PTH. To maintain serum PTH levels equally to sham operated rats, PTX rats were constantly exposed to rPTH (1–34) and fed a control diet (0.3% P) and a high P diet (1.2% P) for 7 days, respectively. There were no significant differences …in serum PTH (1–34) concentration in rats fed the control diet. In sham groups, serum PTH concentrations, both (1–84) and (1–34) fragments, were increased in rats fed the high P diet than in rats fed the control diet. Urinary excretions of P and C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen were significantly increased in both PTX and sham rats by the high P diet. PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA expression in kidney and femur was not changed in both PTX and sham rats by the high P diet. In conclusion, high P diet did not change PTH action in PTX rats and increased urinary excretion of P and bone resorption regardless of PTH action. Show more

Keywords: high phosphorus diet, PTH action, PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA, parathyroidectomized rat

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 33-37, 2004

Authors: Koshihara, Moyuru | Masuyama, Ritsuko | Uehara, Mariko | Suzuki, Kazuharu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We investigated the effect of dietary calcium:phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio on bone mineralization and intestinal Ca absorption in ovariectomized (OVX) rat models of osteoporosis and sham-operated rats. Thirty 12-wk-old female Wistar rats were divided into three groups of OVX rats and three groups of sham rats. Thirty days after the adaptation period, OVX rats and sham rats were fed a diet formulated Ca:P, 1:0.5, 1:1 or 1:2 (each diet containing 0.5% Ca), respectively for 42 d. In …both sham and OVX rats, serum osteocalcin, a marker of bone turnover, was increased by decreasing Ca:P ratio (1:2). In contrast, rats fed the Ca:P = 1:0.5 diet (dietary P restriction) suppressed the increased serum parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline, and increased Ca absorption in both sham and OVX rats compared to the Ca:P = 1:1 and 1:2 diets. Especially, in OVX rats, the decreased bone mineral density of the fifth lumbar was also suppressed when rats were fed the Ca:P = 1:0.5 diet. These results indicated that the elevation of dietary Ca:P ratio may inhibit bone loss and increase intestinal Ca absorption in OVX rats. Show more

Keywords: dietary calcium: phosphorus ratio, bone mineralization, calcium absorption, overiectomized rats

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 39-42, 2001

Authors: Matsuzaki, Hiroshi | Nemoto, Tomoko | Fuchigami, Masaaki | Uehara, Mariko | Suzuki, Kazuharu | Nakamura, Kahoru

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study investigated the gender differences in the kidney function of magnesium (Mg)-deficient rats. Male and female rats were fed a control diet or a Mg-deficient diet for 21 d. Mg-deficient diet had no significant effect on kidney calcium (Ca) or phosphorus (P) concentration in male rats, while Ca and P concentrations in female rats were significantly higher in Mg-deficient rats than in the control rats. With regard to indicators of kidney function, no significant differences …in creatinine clearance and serum urea nitrogen concentration were observed among the groups. Serum albumin concentrations were significantly lower in rats fed the Mg-deficient diet than in rats fed the control diet. In both sexes, urinary albumin excretion was significantly higher in rats fed the Mg-deficient diet than in rats fed the control diet. Gender differences had no significant influence on creatinine clearance, serum urea nitrogen concentration, serum albumin concentration and urinary albumin excretion. These results suggest that gender differences have no effect on kidney function in Mg-deficient rats under the condition used. Show more

Keywords: gender difference, kidney function, magnesium-deficient rats

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 43-46, 2004

Authors: Ohigashi, Hajime | Murakami, Akira

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Cancer prevention strategies making use of combined agents with distinct molecular mechanisms, rather than individual agents, are considered promising for higher efficacy and lower toxicity. Although there is increasing understanding of the synergistic combinations of synthetic agents, our knowledge regarding such combinations of food factors remains limited. We recently found that free radical generation suppressants from food items in combination with their scavengers at low concentrations exhibited notable synergistic effects in activated …leukocytes, whereas combinations of agents with similar modes of action showed additive or antagonistic effects. For example, £¨-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea has been shown to increase the endotoxin-induced production of proinflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin E_2 and tumor necrosis factor-α in RAW264.7 macrophages, whereas the soybean isoflavonoid genistein compensated for these inverse properties of EGCG, leading to marked suppression in combination. The present review briefly highlights the potential effectiveness of combinations of several agents with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties for cancer preventive strategies. Show more

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 49-55, 2004

Authors: Nishino, Hoyoku | Tokuda, Harukuni | Satomi, Yoshiko | Masuda, Mitsuharu | Osaka, Yasuhito | Yogosawa, Shingo | Wada, Saeri | Mou, Xiao Yang | Takayasu, Junko | Murakoshi, Michiaki | Jinnno, Kenji | Yano, Masamichi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Various antioxidants in foods, such as phenolic compounds and carotenoids, were proven to have anticarcinogenic activity. In the case of carotenoids, the mixture of them was found to be very effective. In fact, the development of hepatoma in the high risk group of liver cancer, was significantly suppressed by the treatment with natural carotenoids mixture. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in carcinogenesis has been pointed out, since large quantity of NO has been detected in cancer tissues, …and the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was found to correlate with tumor growth and metastasis. Recently, we found that NO possessed tumor initiating activity in mouse skin carcinogenesis. It has been suggested that some parts of pathological effects induced by NO may depend on peroxynitrite, an active metabolite of NO. Thus, we accessed the tumor initiating activity of peroxynitrite, and found that treatment with peroxynitrite (initiator) plus TPA (promoter) resulted in the formation of skin tumors. Under this experimental condition, it has been proven that natural antioxidants, such as curcumin and nobiletin, showed anti-tumor initiating effect. In the case of nobiletin, suppressive effect on iNOS induction has also been demonstrated. It is of interest that suppression of iNOS induction was also observed in phytoene synthase transgenic mouse. After administration of glycerol (a lung tumor promoter), lower induction of iNOS gene was observed in lung of the phytoene producing mice, comparing with that of control mice. Combinational use of various kinds of antioxidants distributed in foods, e.g., mixture of carotenoids and flavonoids, seems to be effective methods for cancer prevention. Show more

Keywords: cancer prevention, antioxidants, iNOS, NO, peroxynitrite

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 57-61, 2004

Authors: Matsuzaki, Takeshi | Takagi, Akimitsu | Ikemura, Haruo | Matsuguchi, Tetsuya | Yokokura, Teruo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects in numerous disease models, especially murine autoimmune disease and carcinogenesis models, via host immune modulation. It has also been reported that LcS induced recovery of the host immune responses that were decreased by treatment with carcinogens, and that augmented the natural killer activity and T cell functions of host immune cells. After LcS is ingested by the host, it is incorporated into M cells …in Peyer's patches (PP) and digested to form active components. In PP, macrophages or dendritic cells that phagocytosed LcS gained ability to produce tumor necrosis factor-α. The components of LcS digested in PP were then recognized through toll-like receptor 2 in macrophages, resulting in the production of several cytokines which elicit varied responses in host immune cells. Also, it was observed by 2D-PAGE analyses that the expression level and/or the phosphorylation of some proteins in PP and mesenteric lymph nodes were definitely altered after the ingestion of LcS, providing more evidence of cellular responses. Show more

Keywords: probiotics, immune response, Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, Peyer's patch, TLR

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 63-66, 2004

Authors: Minamiyama, Yukiko | Takemura, Shigekazu | Hirohashi, Kazuhiro | Okada, Shigeru

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Natural antioxidants have been shown to be rich sources of microchemicals with the potential to prevent human cancers. We examined whether dietary supplement of a fermented grain food mixture (AOB), which has been shown to have a strong antioxidative effect, may protect against colon cancer metastasis. At day 5 of AOB (6.5%) supplementation in a basal diet, the rat colon cancer cells (RCN-H4) were injected beneath the capsule of the spleen and one min later rats …were splenectomized. All rats without AOB supplementation had multiple liver metastases. However, the number and the size of liver tumors were reduced by about 80% in AOB group. Combined use of cisplatin and AOB enhanced an anti-metastatic effect. The inhibition of liver metastasis by AOB was caused by the regulation of cell cycle. This product may be used as an adjuvant in the therapy of malignant neoplasia. Show more

Keywords: fermented grain food, antioxidant, liver metastasis, rat

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 67-69, 2004

Authors: Konishi, Tomoko | Satsu, Hideo | Hatsugai, Yasuo | Aizawa, Koichi | Inakuma, Takahiro | Nagata, Shinji | Sakuda, Sho-hei | Nagasawa, Hiromichi | Shimizu, Makoto

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a 170 kDa membrane protein that belongs to the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily. In normal tissues, P-gp functions as an ATP-dependent efflux pump that excretes highly hydrophobic xenobiotic compounds, playing an important role in protecting the cells/tissues from xenobiotics. In the present study, chemical substances that could directly modulate the intestinal P-gp activity were searched in vegetables and fruits. By using human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells as a model of the small …intestinal cells, we observed that a bitter melon fraction extracted from 40% methanol showed the greatest increase of the rhodamine-123 accumulation by Caco-2 cells. Inhibitory compounds in the bitter melon fraction were then isolated by HPLC using Pegasil C4 and Pegasil ODS columns. The HPLC fraction having the highest activity was analyzed by ^1 H-NMR and FAB-MS, and the active compound was identified as 1-monopalmitin. It is interesting that certain types of monoglyceride might be involved in the drug bioavailability by specifically inhibiting the efflux mediated by P-gp. Show more

Keywords: P-gp, bitter melon, Caco-2, 1-monopalmitin, daunomycin

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 71-74, 2004

Authors: Kopañski, Z. | Bertrandt, J. | Grabowska, M. | Kosiniak-Kamysz, A. | Kołodziejski, L. | Opoka, W. | Schlegel-Zawadzka, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The analysis included 53 patients (32 men and 21 women) aged 43 to 66 years, who were subjected to radical treatment (surgical or combined) because of stomach (22 patients) or large bowel (31 patients) cancer. All the patients were included in the same model of control examinations, which considered evaluation of the erythrocytes TAS and of the Ca19-9, CEA and AFP concentrations in serum. It was confirmed that in all the patients in whom the recurrence …and/or the dissemination occurred of the cancer, the average erythrocytes TAS value increased 5.5 times by comparison with the period before progression and 7 times in comparison with the patients without recurrence and/or dissemination of the cancer. Moreover it was shown that statistically significantly higher TAS values were associated with the progression of the large bowel cancer in comparison with the stomach cancer and that the blood cells TAS positively correlated with the changes of the Ca19-9, CEA and AFP concentrations in patients with progression of the cancer after radical treatment. Show more

Keywords: total antioxidative status (TAS), stomach cancer, large bowel cancer, neoplasm progression

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 75-78, 2004

Authors: Kopañski, Z. | Grabowska, M. | Kosiniak-Kamysz, A. | Bertrandt, J. | Kołodziejski, L. | Opoka, W. | Schlegel-Zawadzka, M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The analysis included 78 patients (42 men and 36 women) aged 48 to 67 years treated with cytostatics because of a neoplastic disease. In all the patients examined was evaluated the influence of the chemotherapy carried out on the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities. It was confirmed that the effect of the action on the glutathione enzymes (GE) activity of the antineoplastic chemotherapy changes depending on the duration of the treatment with cytostatics. …In the end this activity settles at a high level, statistically significantly higher than that registered before the beginning of the antineoplastic treatment. The increase of the GE activity is mainly favoured by the chemotherapy following the schemes FAC (5-fluorouracyl + doxorubicin + endoxan) and PAC (cisplatin + cyclofosfamide + pharmorubicin). Show more

Keywords: anticancer chemotherapy, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase PGx activities

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 79-82, 2004

Authors: Kaneko, Takao | Tahara, Shoichi | Takabayashi, Fumiyo | Harada, Noboru

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effects of esculin, a natural coumarin compound, on the formation of 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and carcinogenesis induced by a chemical carcinogen, N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP), were examined in the pancreas of female Syrian golden hamsters. Animals were given a diet containing esculin for 7 days, and killed 4~h after BOP treatment, and the contents of 8-oxodG were measured in the nuclear DNA of the pancreas. Esculin suppressed significantly the increase in the 8-oxodG content of hamster pancreas induced …by BOP. Furthermore, the effect of esculin on the rapid production model experiment for pancreatic carcinogenesis using BOP was investigated. Esculin was given ad libitum as a 0.05% aqueous solution during either the initiation or promotion phases. The incidence of invasive tumors in animals given esculin during the initiation phase was significantly lower than in the control group, while the incidence in animals given esculin during the promotion phase showed no significant change. These results suggest that the intake of esculin has an inhibitory effect on BOP-induced oxidative DNA damage and carcinogenesis in hamster pancreas. Show more

Keywords: oxidative DNA damage, carcinogenesis, pancreas, N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine, esculin

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 83-85, 2004

Authors: Kumar, Ashok | Samarth, R.M. | Yasmeen, S. | Sharma, A. | Sugahara, T. | Terado, T. | Kimura, H.

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 87-91, 2004

Authors: Mimura, Akio | Suzuki, Yoshihiro | Toshima, Youhei | Yazaki, Shin-ichi | Ohtsuki, Takashi | Ui, Sadaharu | Hyodoh, Fuminori

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Naturally fermented vinegar such as Kibizu (sugar cane vinegar in Amami Ohshima, Japan), Kurozu (black rice vinegar in Kagoshima, Japan), Kouzu (black rice vinegar in China) and red wine vinegar in Italy had potent radical-scavenging activity analyzed by DPPH method. For the elucidation of food factor for cancer prevention contained in naturally fermented vinegar, the induction of apoptosis in human leukemia cell HL-60 was investigated with sugar cane vinegar Kibizu. Fraction eluted by 40% …methanol from Amberlite XAD 2 chromatography of sugar cane vinegar showed potent radical scavenging activity. The fraction also showed the activity repressing growth of typical human leukemia cells such as HL-60, THP-1, Molt-4, U-937, Jurkat, Raji and K-562. On the other hand, the fraction did not have any growth inhibition activity against human fetal lung cell TIG-1. The most potent radical-scavenging activity and the growth repression activity of the leukemia cell were observed in the same chromatographic fraction of methanol 40%. From cell sorting FACS analyses, electron microscopic observations and cytochemical staining of chromatin and nuclear segments in human leukemia cell HL-60 treated with the active fraction, it was concluded that apoptosis was induced in the leukemia cell by the fraction of sugar cane vinegar and resulted in the repression of growth of the human leukemia cells. Chromatographic fraction of sugar cane juice eluted by 20% methanol showed potent activities of radical-scavenging and growth repression of HL-60. These results led us the consideration that active components in sugar cane juice could be converted to more lipophilic compounds with activity to induce apoptosis in HL-60 by microbial fermentation with yeast and acetic acid bacteria. Show more

Keywords: apoptosis, human leukemia cell, HL-60, sugar cane vinegar, radical-scavenging activity

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 93-97, 2004

Authors: Konishi, Taiji | Naitou, Kazufumi | Kadowaki, Shin'ichi | Takahara, Yoshinori | Yamamoto, Koji

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The suppressing effect of the hot-water extract of Cassia nomame (Sieb.) HONDA was studied on the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1) cells. CHO-K1 cells were pretreated with 2.5 μM Mitomycin C (MMC) for 1 h and incubated with or without the extract in medium for 10–24 h. The frequency of chromosome aberrations in observed 100 metaphase cells was significantly lower with the extract than that without the extract. Moreover, the suppressing …effect of the four fractions collected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was also examined on the same procedure. The frequency of cells with chromosome aberrations in cells cultured with each collected fraction was lower than in those without the extract. The suppressing effect of the collected fractions on chromosomal aberrations, however, was less than that of the total extract. This result suggests that the ingredients which have the suppressing effect of chromosomal aberrations are also contained in the other fraction of the extract. Show more

Keywords: Cassia nomame, chromosomal aberration, mitomycin C, CHO-K1 cell, collected fraction

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 99-102, 2004

Authors: Seki, Takahiro | Morimura, Shigeru | Shigematsu, Tohru | Maeda, Hiroshi | Kida, Kenji

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Shochu is a Japanese spirit that is mainly produced in the Kyushu region. Rice-shochu post-distillation slurry (i.e. RSDS) is eluted during the conventional rice-shochu production process. Since RSDS contains several functional components, we have produced vinegar from RSDS. This study reports the antitumor activity of RSDS and the vinegar via oral administration in a mouse model. Freeze-dried RSDS (0.1 ∼ 1.5%) or vinegar (0.3 ∼ 1.5%) was mixed into a chemically defined diet. The tumor …size and life span of tumor-bearing mice that were fed the diet were investigated for 72 d. The RSDS- (> 0.3%) or vinegar- (> 0.5%) fed mice had significantly smaller sized tumors than the control group (p < 0.01). We also found that those mice had prolonged life spans. Oral administration of RSDS or vinegar also prolonged the life spans of mice that were implanted with Colon 38 cells. These results indicated that dietary RSDS and vinegar suppressed tumor growth. Moreover, we found that NK cytotoxic activity against K562 cells was stimulated by RSDS and vinegar. Show more

Keywords: rice-shochu post-distillation slurry, vinegar, antitumor activity, stimulation of NK cell cytotoxic activity

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 103-105, 2004

Authors: Tang, Hanjun | Inoue, Mamiko | Uzawa, Yuki | Kawamura, Yukio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Anti-tumorigenic action of compounds in some seaweed was evaluated by using selective cytotoxicity against a transformed mouse 3T3 cell (SV-T2) and its normal counter part. The extracts of seaweeds (Wakame, Konbu, Mirin, Aosa, and Sujiaonori) were added to the cells in 96 well microplate. The viability of the cell was measured at 24 hr after sample addition. Of the five weeds, the ethanol extracts from Sujiaonori exhibited the selective cytotoxicity. The ethanol extracts from Sujiaonori was …applied to gel permeation chromatography on Sephadex G-50. The anti-cancer activity was detected in two fractions with high molecular weight near void volume and with small molecular weight. The high molecular weight fractions had absorbance at 280 nm, suggesting that they contained proteineous substances. The small molecular weight fractions were estimated to be around 500 Dalton. Show more

Keywords: seaweed, 3T3 cell (SV-T2), anti-tumor

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 107-110, 2004

Authors: Ohara, Akihiro | Matsuhisa, Tsugio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effects of dietary habits on mutagenic activity in urine were investigated using the umu test based on the use of the genetically engineered bacteria Salmonella typhimurium TA 1535 pSK1002. Genotoxic effects in sample urine were detected by measuring the activation of the SOS response in the bacteria and recording the β- galactosidase activity. Human subjects consisted of smokers and non-smokers. Urine from subjects who consumed fish showed the highest mutagenic activity, …followed by the urine samples from subjects who ate pork or beef. Chicken induced a low level of mutagenic activity. When the subjects ate fried or roasted animal foods, the urine samples gave higher mutagenicity than the urine samples from the subject who consumed non-fried or non-roasted animal foods. When the subject ate vegetables along with a diet rich in animal foods, the activity in urine decreased. Herbs and spices gave the same tendency toward decline as vegetables. Non-smoker urine shower mutagenic activity than samples from smokers. Show more

Keywords: urine, mutagenecity, diet, umu test, heterocyclic amines

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 115-118, 2004

Authors: Kim, Seo Young | Lee, Ki Won | Kim, Ji Yeon | Lee, Hyong Joo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria are known to have antitumor activity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recently we showed that a cytoplasmic fraction – but not peptidoglycan – of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (L.lac CF) had strong antiproliferative activity on SNU-1 human stomach adenocarcinoma cells. The present study investigated whether the antiproliferative activity of L.lac CF on SNU-1 is linked to the induction of apoptosis. Treatment of L.lac CF inhibited the proliferation of SNU-1 cells in …a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml L.lac CF resulted in DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation, respectively. The results indicate that the inhibitory effect of L.lac CF on SNU-1 cell growth is mainly attributable to the induction of apoptosis. Show more

Keywords: Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis, cytoplasmic fraction, SNU-1 human stomach adenocarcinoma cell line, apoptosis

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 119-122, 2004

Authors: Hiramatsu, Naoko | Xiufen, Wang | Takechi, Ryusuke | Itoh, Yoshimi | Mamo, John | Pal, Sebely

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The multistage induction theory is generally regarded as the mechanism of carcinogenesis. In order to prevent the initiation stage of carcinogenesis, it is meaningful to discover the functional components of edible plants. The objective of this research was to test the antimutagenicity of the functional components of several typical traditional herbs used in Japan. The traditional herbs, gennoshoko (Geranium nepalense var. thunbergii), yomogi (Artemisia vulgaris var. indica), senburi (Swertia japonica), iwa-tobacco (Conandron …ramondioides), sarunokoshikake (Elfvingia applanata), kanzo (Glycyeehiza uralensis Fisch) and matatabi (Actinidia polygama) were examined by Ames mutagenesis assay test with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 against mutagens, Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2 and B(a)P. The water-soluble components or volatile oil of the herbs were extracted in boiling water. The extracts of gennoshoko showed strong antimutagenicity against B(a)P with S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100, as well as Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 with S. typhimurium TA98. Yomogi, senburi and iwa-tobacco were also proved to have good antimutagenicity against Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 with S. typhimurium TA98, but weaker antimutagenicity against B(a)P. Other herbs did not show any obvious antimutagenicity against these mutagens. In addition, the volatile oil of yomogi also had remarkable antimutagenic effect against the mutagens we used with S. typhimurium TA98. Show more

Keywords: antimutagenicity, gennoshoko, yomogi, senburi, iwa-tobacco, B(a)P, Trp-P-1, Trp-P-2

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 123-125, 2004

Authors: Haba, Ryota | Watanabe, Shaw | Wada, Masahiro | Udaka, Shigezo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The cancer-preventive effects of food-derived bovine lactoferrin(bLF), isoflavone-rich soya germ(SG), and spermidine(SPD) on mammary gland carcinogenesis induced by 2-amino-1- methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]-pyridine (PhIP), were investigated in female Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. Two hundred and six female SD rats were divided into 8 groups. Cumulative breast cancer incidence at 43 weeks was 65.4% in the PhIP group; 80.0% and 76.0% in the 0.2% and 2.0% bLF groups, respectively; 58.3% and 20.0% in the 2% and 10% SG …groups, respectively; and 80.0% and 76.9% in the 0.035% and 0.175% SPD groups, respectively. Isoflavone-rich SG significantly suppressed breast cancer, and the tumors showed fibrous or less malignant features upon histological examination. Show more

Keywords: lactoferrin, isoflavone, polyamine, cancer prevention, mammary carcinogenesis

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 127-131, 2004

Authors: Ashida, Hitoshi | Furuyashiki, Takashi | Nagayasu, Hironobu | Bessho, Hiroaki | Sakakibara, Hiroyuki | Hashimoto, Takashi | Kanazawa, Kazuki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To investigate mechanisms of the anti-obesity actions of green tea in vivo, rats were given green tea instead of drinking water for 3 weeks. It was confirmed that green tea reduced adipose tissue weight without any change in body weight, other tissue weights, and food and water intakes. Green tea also significantly reduced the plasma levels of cholesterols and free fatty acids. Certain catechins existed in the plasma at 0.24 μM under our experimental conditions, though …most of them existed as conjugated forms. For mechanisms of the anti-obesity actions, green tea significantly reduced glucose uptake accompanied by a decrease in translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in adipose tissue, while it significantly stimulated the glucose uptake with GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle. Moreover, green tea suppressed the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and the activation of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 in adipose tissue. In conclusion, green tea modulates the glucose uptake system in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and suppresses the expression and/or activation of adipogenesis-related transcription factors, as the possible mechanisms of its anti-obesity actions. Show more

Keywords: green tea, GLUT4, SREBP, PPARγ, lipid metabolism, adipose tissue

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 135-140, 2004

Authors: Tokimitsu, Ichiro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Long-term feeding of tea catechins suppressed body fat accumulation in high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice, and that their effects might be attributed, at least in part, to the activation of hepatic lipid metabolism. Consecutive intake of tea catechins (588 mg/day) reduced body fat, especially abdominal fat in humans. These results demonstrate that intake of tea catechins is beneficial for body fat accumulation.

Keywords: tea catechins, lipid metabolism, body fat accumulation

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 141-143, 2004

Authors: Park, Yoo Kyoung | Kim, Jung-Shin | Kang, Myung-Hee

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Many of the flavonoids found in grapes and grape products such as juice or wine have been known to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, platelet inhibitory and arterial relaxing effects either in vitro, in animal studies and in human trials. This study was designed to test the effect of Concord grape juice consumption on altering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Forty subjects were given 5.5 ml/kg body weight/day of either Concord grape juice (CGJ) or a calorie-matched placebo …drink every day for 8 weeks. Blood pressure (BP) was measured on weeks 0, 4 and 8. Compared to baseline, in the CGJ group systolic BP was reduced on average by 7.2 mm Hg (p = 0.005) and diastolic BP was reduced on average by 6.2 mm Hg (p = 0.001) at the end of 8 weeks. Comparable changes in the group getting the placebo product were -3.5 mm Hg (NS) and -3.2 mm Hg (p = 0.05) Consuming Concord grape juice, which is high in polyphenolic compounds, may favorably affect BP in hypertensive individuals. Show more

Keywords: grape juice, double-blind, placebo-controlled, DNA damage, comet assay

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 145-147, 2004

Authors: Sakuramata, Yasuhide | Oe, Hiromi | Kusano, Syuichi | Aki, Osami

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: B. Ludvik et al., have recently shown the effect of Caiapo® (Ipomoea batatas L.) on reducing fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance in type-2 diabetic patients. It, however, was required 2–4 weeks after the single administration of Caiapo®. The present study aimed to determine if the combination therapy of Caiapo® with a mulberry leaf powder, which inhibits α-glucosidase, or with a loquat leaf extract, which shows an insulin-like effect, could make it possible to …enhance the antidiabetic activities of Caiapo®, and to shorten the time necessary for the inhibition of increasing blood glucose levels. A mixture of the pulverized tuber of Caiapo® (357 mg/kg) and the mulberry leaf powder (143 mg/kg), or a mixture of the pulverized skin of Caiapo® (194 mg/kg) and the powdered loquat leaf extract (6 mg/kg) was orally administered to 6 weeks-old male KK-Ay mice for 28 days and the glucose loading test was conducted every 7 days. In the glucose loading test after one week feeding, a reduction in blood glucose concentration after 60~minutes of the administration of glucose was observed in both mixture groups against the control group (p < 0.05) in the case of Caiapo® only, similar delayed effects were seen in 2–3 weeks after feeding. Show more

Keywords: mulberry, loquat, KK-Ay mouse, antidiabetic, caiapo potato

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 149-152, 2004

Authors: Sekiya, Keizo | Ohtani, Atsuko | Kusano, Shuichi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Antidiabetic and hypoglycemic drugs have been reported to enhance adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We previously reported that ginseng (active constituents: ginsenosides) enhanced the differentiation [1]. In this experiment, effect of some ginger group food extracts on the adipocyte differentiation was investigated using cultured mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were grown as monolayer cultures at 37°C in DMEM supplemented by 10% FBS under the atmosphere of 5% CO_2 –95% air. Ginger …extracts were found to enhance the adipocyte differentiation. Active constituent was purified and identified as gingerol. In the gingerol-treated cells, insulin-sensitive glucose uptake was increased. It is expected that ginger enhance the insulin-sensitivity, and improve chronic disease, such as diabetes. Show more

Keywords: 3T3-L1, ginger, 6-gingerol, adipocyte, insulin sensitivity

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 153-156, 2004

Authors: Nagata, Jun-ichi | Kasai, Michio | Negishi, Satoshi | Saito, Morio

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The physiological activity and effect on lipid metabolism of four types of structured lipids (SLs), that contain caprylic acid (C8) and either eicosapentaenoic (EPA) or docosahesaenoic acid (DHA), were evaluated in male Wistar rats fed experimental diets containing 7% (wt %) of each SL and 3% (wt %) soybean oil for 28 days. Control rats were fed a diet containing 10% (wt %) soybean oil. The relative perirenal adipose tissue weights of rats fed D-8-8 and …8-D-8 diets were significantly lower than those of other groups. We observed significantly lower serum cholesterol concentrations in rats fed SLs than those of control group over experimental period. The serum lipids concentrations in rats fed diets containing SLs were significantly lower P < 0.05) than those of soybean oil group. The fatty acid compositions of WAT did not reflect the structural differences in the triglyceride. These results suggest that the physiological effects of the SLs used in this study were due to the fatty acids rather than the structural specificity. Therefore, further study will be needed to ascertain the most desirable structural configuration. Show more

Keywords: structured lipid, rats, lipid profiles

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 157-160, 2004

Authors: Cho, Sung-Hee | Rhee, Soon-Jae | Choi, Sang-Won | Choi, Youngsun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A primary methanol extract (F-ME), secondary butanol-soluble fraction (F-BU), and lignans were prepared from forsythia fruit (Forsythia viridissima L.) and added to 0.5% (w/w) cholesterol diets for male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 121 ± 12 g. There were six experimental groups: a control group, 0.2%, 0.4% F-ME supplemented groups, 0.1%, 0.02% F-BU groups and 0.02% lignan group. After 3 weeks of feeding, body weight gains, serum GOT and GPT levels were not different among the …groups. HDL-/total cholesterol ratios increased in the 0.2% F-BU and lignan groups compared with the control groups. Liver triglyceride level lowered in most of forsythia groups. Fecal cholesterol excretions increased in the lignan group. Arctiin isolated from the forsythia fruit reduced cholesterol and triglyceride contents in cultured HepG2 cells at 0.01–0.1 μM. These results indicated that the forsythia lignan, arctiin is effective on improving blood lipid status without a significant hepatotoxicity and is to be utilized for the functional foods for lipid-lowering action. Show more

Keywords: forsythia, lignan, cholesterol, triglyceride

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 161-163, 2004

Authors: Shizuka, F. | Kido, Y. | Nakazawa, T. | Kitajima, H. | Aizawa, C. | Kayamura, H. | Ichijo, N.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effect of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)-enriched soybean on blood pressure was investigated in male spontaneously hypertensive rats. Ten-week-old rats were given diets containing graded levels of GABA-enriched soybean powder for 8 weeks. The systolic blood pressure in rats fed 0.15% GABA diet was significantly lower at 1st week and maintained lower values for 4 weeks as compared with 0% GABA controls. No effect on blood pressure was found in those of 0.03 and 0.3% GABA. …The results suggest that there exist appropriate dietary GABA level to get the blood pressure lowering effect. Show more

Keywords: γ-Amino butyric acid, soybean, blood pressure, spontaneously hypertensive rats

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 165-167, 2004

Authors: Kawasaki, Masashi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The effect of dietary sea squirt ( Halocynthia roretzi) on lipid metabolism in rats was investigated. Rats were fed sea squirt muscle (Experiment 1); sea squirt muscle, defatted sea squirt muscle and its hexane extract (Experiment 2); and whole body sea squirt and its parts as muscle or viscera (Experiment 3). All of the diets contained the same levels of protein (20%) and lipid (7%). In experiment 1, serum total cholesterol (T-Ch), very-low-density lipoprotein plus low-density …lipoprotein (VLDL+LDL)-Ch, triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (PL) and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were reduced by 20% dietary sea squirt muscle ingestion; steroid excretions into feces were enhanced by the same diet. In experiment 2, serum T-Ch, (VLDL+LDL)-Ch, TG, PL and NEFA levels were significantly reduced and steroid excretions into feces were significantly enhanced by ingestion of the sea squirt muscle hexane extract. Ingestion of defatted sea squirt muscle also reduced these serum lipid levels, but not as much as did that of whole sea squirt muscle. In experiment 3, serum T-Ch and HDL-Ch levels were significantly elevated by the 10% sea squirt viscera ingestion. Show more

Keywords: dietary sea squirt, rat, serum lipid, steroid excretion

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 169-172, 2004

Authors: Shin, Jonghyun | Kim, Yun Jung | Choi, Myung-Sook | Woo, Dong-Ho | Park, Taesun

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Both plant sterols and lecithin are used as dietary supplements for lowering blood cholesterol in Western countries. This study evaluated the possibility of an additive effect of these ingredients on the regulation of lipid concentrations and cholesterol metabolism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, and fed one of the following diets for 5 weeks; high cholesterol diet (HCD), phytosterol mixture-supplemented diet (PD, HCD+0.25% phytosterols), or phytosterol mixture and lecithin-supplemented …diet (PLD, PD+0.15% lecithin). Feeding the PD for 5 weeks resulted in a 34% and 41% decrease in plasma total- and VLDL+LDL-cholesterol levels, respectively, and a 23% decrease in hepatic cholesterol content compared to those for the HCD rats (p < 0.05). These cholesterol-lowering properties of the phytosterol mixture were also associated with the down-regulation of hepatic acyl CoA:cholesterol acytransferase (ACAT) activity (p < 0.05). Addition of lecithin plus phytosterol mixture to the hypercholesterolemic diet did not significantly affect blood and hepatic lipid concentrations (with the exception of 36% decrease in hepatic triglyceride level, p < 0.05) as well as hepatic ACAT activity compared to feeding the hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with phytosterol alone. These results indicate that combining lecithin, at a 0.15% level, with a phytosterol mixture-supplemented diet does not exhibit an additive effect in regulating hepatic ACAT activity or lowering blood cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic rats. Show more

Keywords: phytosterols, lecithin, hypercholesterolemia, cholesterol, triglyceride, rats

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 173-175, 2004

Authors: Shimada, Shoichiro | Komamura, Koji | Kumagai, Hitomi | Sakurai, Hidetoshi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Sulfuric-flavored compounds were extracted from shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and their inhibitory activity against platelet aggregation was investigated. Platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid and U-46619, the analog of thromboxane A_2 , was inhibited by the essential oil from shiitake that contained lenthionine as a major sulfuric compound. This result indicates that the inhibitory site of the shiitake flavor compounds would be different from that of garlic-flavor compounds because the latter inhibits …the passage between arachidonic acid and thromboxane A_2 . The effect of the synthesized lenthionine was almost equivalent to that of the essential oil, which indicates that the inhibitory activity of the essential oil from shiitake would be mainly attributed to lenthionine. Show more

Keywords: shiitake mushroom, sulfuric-flavored compound, lenthionine, inhibitory activity against platelet aggregation

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 177-179, 2004

Authors: Takechi, Ryusuke | Hiramatsu, Naoko | Mamo, John C.L. | Pal, Sebely

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Epidemiological studies suggest that the red wine consumption may reduce the risk factor of cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanisms of how the red wine phenolic components reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease is currently unknown. Our previous study demonstrated that red wine polyphenolics suppress the secretion of pro-atherogenic lipoproteins (very low density lipoproteins) from human hepatic HepG2 cells. Therefore, in this study we hypothesize that red wine polyphenolics will also attenuate the production …and secretion of another pro-atherogenic lipoprotein (chylomicrons) from human intestinal CaCo-2 cells. Cultured CaCo-2 cells were incubated in the presence of dealcoholized red wine, alcoholized red wine and atorvastatin for 24 h. The apo B48 protein (marker of intestinal chylomicrons) was quantified on Western blotting and the enhanced chemiluminescence. Apo B48 levels in the cells and that secreted into the media were significantly reduced by 29% in the cells incubated with dealcoholized red wine compared with control cells. Also the similar effect was shown in the cells incubated with alcoholized red wine. The cells incubated with atorvastatin shown the significant reduction of apo B48 production compared to control cells. Collectively, this study suggests that red wine polyphenolics down regulate the production of chylomicron in intestinal CaCo-2 cells. Show more

Keywords: Caco-2, apoB48, chylomicron, red wine polyphenolics, atherosclerosis

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 181-183, 2004

Authors: Omura, Kazonobu | Hitosugi, Masahito | Kaketani, Kazutoshi | Zhu, Xia | Maeda, Hiroaki | Tokudome, Shogo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: NKCP is the completely refined protein layer from cultured Bacillus subtilis (natto) and is supplied in tablet form. It lacks the distinctive fermented odor and bacteria associated with fresh natto. Almost all vitamin K is removed during the manufacturing process. The main component of NKCP is the active fragment of Bacillopeptidase F, which is a serine protease secreted by Bacillus subtilis. In in vivo studies, NKCP shows fibrinolytic and amidolytic activity on plasmin specific synthetic …substrate. Daily oral administration of NKCP in 28 volunteers for two weeks and then in 23 volunteers for several months, was examined. The fibrinolytic effect was demonstrated by a shortened euglobulin lysis time in both trials. Furthermore, we observed an improvement in shoulder stiffness. These results suggest that the oral administration of NKCP can be expected to have a fibrinolytic effect and cause positive changes in local blood flow. Further investigations may demonstrate NKCP to be useful in the prevention of thrombosis. Show more

Keywords: NKCP, bacillopeptidase F, clinical trials, fibrinolysis, anti-thrombosis

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 185-187, 2004

Authors: Bertrandt, Jerzy | Klos, Anna | Debski, Bogdan

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of study was to investigate an influence of nutritional deficiency and dietary addition of vit. B_{2} , B_{6} and folic acid on PUFAs content in rats' serum and liver. Limitation of consumption full value diet to 50% of its previously determined daily consumption, enriched with m/a vitamins, significant decreased of linoleic (LA) and α-linolenic (ALA) acids as well as distinctly increased arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids content in serum in …30^{th} day. In 60^{th} day lower content of AA and DHA fatty acids was found. Nutrition with such diet, lasting 90 days caused decrease of LA content and increase of AA. Diet limitation to its 30% of daily consumption decreased of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA in the 30^{th} day, while AA and DHA content was increased in the 60^{th} day. Distinct decrease of AA content and increase of EPA content were found in the 90^{th} day of experiment. Use of diets, with limited consumption to 50% caused increase of LA and ALA acids content while AA and DHA acids content were significantly decreased in the liver, in 90^{th} day. Limited consumption supplemented diet to 30% caused in liver significant decrease of LA and increase of EPA acids content. Show more

Keywords: protein-energy malnutrition, folic acid, vitamin B_{2}, vitamin B_{6}, PUFA

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 189-192, 2004

Authors: Kim, Myung-Sunny | Kim, Jin-Kyung | Kwon, Dae-Young | Park, Raekil

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Garcinia extract was used as a potential anti-obesity agent. In this study, we found that Garcinia extract inhibits the cytoplasmic lipid accumulation as well as adipogenic differentiation of preadipocytes. The mechanisms that regulate the inhibition of insulin-induced differentiation by Garcinia extracts include the inhibition of expression of the early adipogenic transcription factor, CCAAT element binding protein (C/EBP)α that regulate adipogenesis. These results suggest that the specific targets of Garcinia extract on differentiation …process of 3T3-L1 cells could be, at least, early adipogenic differentiation factor. Show more

Keywords: garcinia, C/EBPα, adipogenesis

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 193-196, 2004

Authors: Maeda, Hiroaki | Zhu, Xia | Omura, Kazunobu | Suzuki, Shiho | Kitamura, Shinichi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens was reported to produce an exopolysaccharide named kefiran. In the present study, we developed a new medium, rice hydrolyzate (RH) medium, for the culture of L. kefiranofaciens. Structural analyses revealed that the exopolysaccharide produced by L. kefiranofaciens from RH medium was composed of a hexasaccharide repeating unit, and essentially identical to the kefiran reported in previous studies. A study on the effects of kefiran in animals demonstrated that kefiran significantly …suppressed increase of blood pressure and reduced the serum cholesterol levels in SHRSP/Hos rats when subjects consumed excessive dietary cholesterol. Kefiran supplementation demonstrated the ability to significantly lower blood glucose in KKAy mice. In addition, the administration of kefiran in constipated SD rats caused an obvious improvement in the levels of fecal moisture and wet weights of feces. These results suggest that kefiran could be used as a functional food to prevent some commonly occurring diseases. Show more

Keywords: rice hydrolyzate, kefiran, lipid, blood pressure, blood glucose, constipation

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 197-200, 2004

Authors: Mochizuki, Mika | Kajiya, Katsuko | Terao, Junji | Kaji, Kazuhiko | Kumazawa, Shigenori | Nakayama, Tsutomu | Shimoi, Kayoko

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Quercetin and its glucosides exist in plant foods and are recovered in human plasma as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates. Quercetin and its conjugates show antioxidant activity in model experiments. It remains obscure, however, whether these conjugates retain these biological functions in vivo. We investigated the interaction of quercetin conjugates with lipid bilayers using liposome systems. Less quercetin conjugate was incorporated into liposomes than quercetin aglycone. We also studied the vascular permeability of …quercetin-3-glucuronide using cell culture inserts. Incubation of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) with IL-1α resulted in increased permeability of quercetin-3-glucuronide. Furthermore, quercetin-3-glucuronide showed no suppressive effect on TNF-α-induced cell expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on HAECs. These observations suggest that circulating conjugates of quercetin pass through the endothelium to reach vascular smooth muscle cells and exert their biological effects in the blood vessels during inflammation followed by deconjugation of the conjugates. Show more

Keywords: quercetin conjugate, vascular permeability, ICAM-1, liposome

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 201-204, 2004

Authors: Takachi, Ribeka | Kimira, Mitsuru | Uesugi, Sayo | Kudo, Yoko | Ouchi, Kazuyuki | Watanabe, Shaw

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Dietary factors that influence platelet aggregation have not been fully clarified in humans. 63 Japanese women, aged 40–70 years old, completed one-day weighted dietary records, and received physical and laboratory examinations. Platelet aggregation was measured by 1.0 and 3.0 μM ADP induction. The results were analyzed with special reference to fatty acids. The short and medium chain fatty acid intake showed negative correlation with maximum percent of platelet aggregation induced by 1.0 …μM ADP. Short and medium chain fatty acids in this study were mostly derived from milk and dairy products. Importance of short and medium chain fatty acid intake on platelet aggregation requires further study for prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Show more

Keywords: platelet aggregation, fatty acid, human nutrition, epidemiology

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 205-210, 2004

Authors: Watanabe, Shaw | Zhuo, Xing Gang | Kimira, Mitsuru

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: More than 600 functional non-nutrient food factors (FFFs) in vegetables and fruits are considered to be effective for health promotion and disease prevention. However, phytochemicals studied thus far have failed to yield predicted results in randomized intervention studies. To assess the health effects of phytochemicals, a breakthrough in epidemiological methods was necessary. We constructed a database of non-nutrient FFFs to estimate the chemical classes and total amount of FFF-intake in order to facilitate …estimation and calculation for nutritional research. So far, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, and sulfur compounds are included in our FFF database. We calculated the intake of various phytochemicals per capita from 79 subjects' dietary records by FFF database, and estimated that subjects ingested more than 10 μ mole per day of phytochemicals such as catechin, isoflavones, isothiocyanate, ferulic acid, quercetin, cinnamic acid and chlorogenic acid. Chief component analysis yielded 12 factors (80%), of which only a few factors showed negative associations with serum cholesterol and LDL concentration. Many factors showed adverse relationships with liver function and serum triacylglycerol concentration. Weekly self-reported daily dietary records including name of dish, constituent foods and their amounts were separately collected for 6 months and analyzed in Kyoto women. Seasonal changes of phytochemical intake showed significant variation according to the seasonal consumption of fruits and vegetables. Lycopene increased in the summer due to watermelon and tomato intake in this season. Seasonal variation of FFF was quite large compared to the variation of macro- and micronutrients. Careful evaluation of the effects of FFF intake on health is necessary, especially when supplements are also consumed. The most effective combinations of FFF intake for human health could be elucidated by using our FFF-DB in conjunction with population-based cohort studies. Show more

Keywords: functional food factor, foods for special health use, dietary supplement, epidemiology, human nutrition

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 213-219, 2004

Authors: Uesugi, Sayo | Watanabe, Shaw | Ishiwata, Naoko | Uehara, Mariko | Ouchi, Kazuyuki

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study on the effects of 40~mg/d isoflavone supplements was carried out by 58 climacteric Japanese women. A questionnaire and an interview concerning climacteric symptoms, health status, dietary and exercise habit, and medical history were carried out, and the physical check-up and biochemical tests including sex-hormone analysis were made at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Urinary isoflavones were separately measured from the frozen samples. Isoflavone treatment did not …cause any adverse effects on anthropometric measures or blood chemistry. Urinary deoxypyridinoline, a marker of bone resorption decreased significantly with isoflavone treatment. This tendency was remarkable among equol producers. Plasma osteocalcin and bone mineral density did not change by the four-weeks treatment. As for climacteric symptoms, hot flash decreased significantly. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure of hypertensive participants decreased significantly after isoflavone treatment compared with baseline and the placebo treatment. Isoflavone supplementation offers benefits to reduce effectively on bone resorption enhanced by menopause. The treatment also showed an improvement of climacteric hot flash and hypertension. Equol producers showed better results. Show more

Keywords: isoflavones, equol, bone density, climacteric symptoms, intervention study

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 221-228, 2004

Authors: Adlercreutz, Herman | Heinonen, Satu-Maarit | Penalvo-Garcia, José

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Recent results obtained in collaboration with many other groups with regard to phytoestrogens (isoflavones and lignans) and breast cancer, prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease are presented and discussed in light of new developments in the field. Both isoflavones and lignans may be protective with regard to these diseases, but we do not yet understand some of the controversial results obtained. In this short communication the possible mechanisms of disease prevention were not discussed.

Keywords: phytoestrogens, breast cancer, prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 229-236, 2004

Authors: Sakakibara, Hiroyuki | Viala, Didier | Ollier, Alain | Combeau, André | Besle, Jean-Michel

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Isoflavones that exist in forages such as clover can move in milk, and may have beneficial effects on human health. We measured the isoflavones in subterranean (cv Yarloop, Geraldton, Dinninup and Dwalganup) and red (cv Merviot and Hamua) clovers, grown in a mountain environment, and in the milk of two goats fed a fresh mixture of the four subterranean clovers gathered at flowering stage. Isoflavone glycosides were hydrolysed with an improved β glycosidase method. Free aglycones …(FA) and the hydrolysed glycosides + free aglycones fraction (HF) were analysed by HPLC. In milk, the methanol extracted compounds were deconjugated and similarly analysed. Total HF was highest in Yarloop (19~g kg^{-1} dry matter) and was three times lower in Merviot. Formononetin was the major compound (46–64% of total HF). FA varied from 30 to 73% of HF. Milk contained formononetin (50 μg L^{-1} ), similar amounts of equol and p ethylphenol (about 250 μg L^{-1} ), and equol like compounds (1120 μg L^{-1} ). Equol, which has estrogenic activity, and p ethylphenol were produced by biotransformation of formononetin, and biochanin A or genistein, respectively. The modulation of isoflavone amounts in milk and the estimation of their interests for human health warrant further investigation. Show more

Keywords: isoflavones, equol, trifolium subterraneum, trifolium pratense, milk, goat

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 237-239, 2004

Authors: Ito, Hideyuki | Gonthiera, Marie-Paule | Manach, Claudine | Morand, Christine | Mennen, Louise | Rémésy, Christian | Scalbert, Augustin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Polyphenols in biological fluids are generally estimated by HPLC with UV, electrochemical or fluorimetric detection. We describe herein a method specially developed to estimate biomarkers of polyphenol consumption in human urine. We simultaneously quantified 15 polyphenols and their related compounds in human urine using an HPLC coupled with electrospray ionization mass-mass (HPLC-ESI-MS-MS) method with an analytical run time of 6 min. The method has been validated with respect to linearity, precision, and accuracy in intra- and …inter-day assays. It has been applied to human urine samples collected from volunteers after consumption of different polyphenol-rich beverages in controlled conditions. Show more

Keywords: HPLC-ESI-MS-MS, polyphenols, human urine, metabolites, biomarkers

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 241-243, 2004

Authors: Kang, Myung-Hee | Park, Yoo Kyoung | Kim, Hye-Young | Kim, Tae Seok

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Smoking increases indices of free radical-mediated damage of DNA which are potential underlying processes in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In this study, we evaluated whether 8 weeks of green vegetable drink (Angelica keiskei based juice) supplementation to smokers can be protective against lymphocytic DNA damage. Twenty smokers were given 240 ml of commercially available green vegetable drink every day for 8 weeks. The DNA damage was determined using single cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay) and …the damage was quantified by measuring tail length (TL), tail moment (TM), and percent DNA in tail. Eight weeks of green vegetable drink consumption resulted in a significant in lymphocytes DNA damage in all three measurements; TL, TM and % DNA in tail. These results support the hypothesis that green vegetable drink exerts a cancer-protective effect via a decrease in oxidative damage to DNA in humans. Show more

Keywords: smokers, green juice, intervention, DNA damage, comet assay

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 245-247, 2004

Authors: Miwa, Misao | Matsumaru, Hiroyuki | Akimoto, Yukari | Naito, Shigehiro | Ochi, Hirotomo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), as a measure of oxidative stress, was measured in healthy Japanese volunteers using an ELISA (New 8-OHdG Check®, JICA). Analysis of daytime spot urine of 83 healthy male subjects and smoking habit, exercise and age revealed significant correlation only between the urinary level of 8-OHdG and age. As the inter-individual variation of 8-OHdG of the daytime spot urine was relatively high, we next determined inter-and intra-individual variation of 5 healthy volunteers. The levels of …8-OHdG/creatinine in morning spot urine significantly correlated with 8-OHdG levels in 24-h pool urine. Thus, a morning spot urine sample can be used for the measurement of 8-OHdG instead of inconvenient 24-h sampling. Show more

Keywords: 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 249-253, 2004

Authors: Kanaya, Setsuko | Ikeya, Masae | Yamamoto, Kanako | Moriya, Takayo | Furuhashi, Keiko | Sonoda, Makiko | Goto, Koichi | Ochi, Hirotomo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A great deal of effort has been made on the effect of oxidative stress for smokers. What seems to be lacking, however, is its evidence. Analyzing 1076 participants (age 35.9 ± 12.9, urinary8-OHdG Mean ± S.D., 11.4 ± 6.7, n = 1076), our study found the significant increase in a biomarker of DNA damage urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine among smokers (7.75 ± 2.8 ng/ml × CRE (n = 154) and 7.36 ± 2.5 ng/ml × CRE (n = …627) (p < 0.05), Relative Risk = 2.9 (1.4–6.2) sex and age ± 2 matching 105 male smokers and non-smokers. There was no significance on the comparison between female smokers and non-smokers. Smokers have significantly decreased serum alpha-tocopherol (1012 ± 455, 1152 ± 857, p < 0.03). The amount of serum ascorbate did not change. Smokers lowered serum HDL-cholesterol compared to non-smokers (59.3 ± 11.8, 63.9 ± 13.3, p < 0.05). The result of oxidative stress profile (OSP) also indicated that the increase of oxidative stress to smokers (p < 0.05). The calculated value of oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) of the meal for subjects was 1600 ORAC units. Show more

Keywords: smokers, urinary8-OHdG (urinary8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine), oxidative stress profile (OSP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 255-258, 2004

Authors: Kita, Junko | Tada, Junko | Ito, Maiko | Shirakawa, Mariko | Murashima, Megumi | Zhuo, Xing-Gang | Watanabe, Shaw

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Effects of phytochemicals on human health are suggested from various animal experiments, but human studies remain insufficient. We have constructed a database of various phytochemicals (polyphenols, carotenoids, and sulphur compounds) (http://www.life-science.jp/fff/) and estimated the amount of intake among Japanese population. The subjects were volunteers (16 males and 63 females, averagely aged 71 and 61, respectively) in Iwate city. Average BMI was 23 in both sexes. Intake of 36 phytochemicals was calculated from one-day dietary …records of all intake, by multiplying concentrations of each phytochemical in foods. Phytochemicals with average intake of at least 10 μmole per day were catechin, isoflavones, isothiocyanate, ferulic acid, quercetin, cinnamic acid and chlorogenic acid. Chief component analysis yielded 12 factors (80%). Show more

Keywords: phytochemicals, polyphenols, carotenoids, sulphur compounds, epidemiology

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 259-263, 2004

Authors: Melby, Melissa K. | Murashima, Megumi | Watanabe, Shaw

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We calculated functional food factor (FFF) intakes using a new database and examined their relationship to health conditions commonly affecting Japanese women in midlife. One-day DRs were collected weekly for 6 months from 67 Japanese women, aged 45–55 yr, living in Kyoto prefecture, Japan. Macro- and micronutrient and FFF intake were calculated from the resulting 1528 DRs. Factor analysis and logistic regression were performed to identify relationships between FFFs and past health history. Fourteen of 17 …FFF factors, as well as age, BMI and menopausal status, exhibited both positive and negative correlations with past history of hypertension, diabetes, allergy, migraine, and menopausal syndrome. Show more

Keywords: functional food factors, FFF, phytochemical, dietary intake, Japanese, women, health

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 265-269, 2004

Authors: Murashima, Megumi | Watanabe, Shaw | Zhuo, Xing-Gang | Uehara, Mariko | Kurashige, Atsushi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Little is known about the direct effect of broccoli sprouts on human health. So we investigated the effect of broccoli sprouts on the induction of various biochemical oxidative stress markers. Twelve healthy subjects (6 males and 6 females) consumed fresh broccoli sprouts (100 g/day) for 1 week for a phase 1 study. Before and after the treatment, biochemical examination was conducted and natural killer cell activity, plasma amino acids, plasma PCOOH (phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide), the serum coenzyme …Q_{10} , urinary 8-isoprostane, and urinary 8-OHdG (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) were measured. With treatment, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased, and HDL cholesterol increased significantly. Plasma cystine decreased significantly. All subjects showed reduced PCOOH, 8-isoprostane and 8-OHdG, and increased CoQ_{10} H_{2} /CoQ_{10} ratio. Only one week intake of broccoli sprouts improved cholesterol metabolism and decreased oxidative stress markers. Show more

Keywords: broccoli sprouts, phosphatidylcholine hydroperoxide, 8-isoprostane, coenzyme Q10, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, phase 1 study

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 271-275, 2004

Authors: Kwon, T.W. | Hong, J.H. | Moon, G.S. | Song, Y.S. | Kim, J.I. | Kim, J.C. | Kim, M.J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The food technology has brought countless benefits to today's food supply. Despite its many positive contributions, it has also brought unintended negative consequences. It is the time to mobilize the food technology to help the food supply more secure, safer and healthier, and here three possible approaches are foreseeable: First, we should continue to improve the conventional technologies. Many wholesome foods have been prepared and preserved using natural materials simply by fermentation. Second, we have to …enhance the minimal processing as much as applicable. Third, new ingredients, intelligent packaging and functional foods should be explored to improve food supply and health. Today, consumer interest in the functional foods has been increased tremendously, and the future of food lies in the functional foods. However, the situations in the developing world are different from this. As food resource is limited in this region, food technology has to be emphasized to increase food supply. To help solve such complex problems, not only new technologies, but also conventional technologies have to be mobilized. Simultaneously, even higher technical capabilities have to be built up by applying new findings from the related disciplines to allow the food technology to play its vital role. Show more

Keywords: food technology, health promotion, minimal processing, fermentation, soybean, whole grain products, functional foods, packaging, fiber, isoflavones

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 279-287, 2004

Authors: Hirahara, Tsuneo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The concept of Functional Food originates in a research project started in 1984. It triggered the introduction of a health claim system for Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU) in 1991. In parallel with the implementation and subsequent regulatory changes, the administration has been intensifying its control over so-called health foods and the FOSHU examination has become more stringent. In spite of the unfavorable regulatory circumstances, being inspired by academic society, many of the food industries …have developed functional foods and launched them into the market as FOSHU products to bring about an annual increasing rate of 130% in the total sales amount. On the other hand, the public concern about health and nutrition is soaring. Consumers are becoming more alert to health claims and seeking much more advanced information about food products than before. Taking all of this into account, the key factors for the success of functional foods could be summarized in the following four points. 1) Use of innovative technology in scientific developments resulting in health benefits 2) A variety of new functional foods to be developed by the industries 3) Amendment of functional foods' regulations 4) Improving the consumer's understanding and knowledge of foods claiming a health benefit. Show more

Keywords: functional food, FOSHU, innovative technology, regulation amendment, consumers' understanding

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 289-293, 2004

Authors: Watanabe, Jun | Tanabe, Soichi | Watanabe, Michiko | Shinmoto, Hiroshi | Sonoyama, Kei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We propose a novel method to produce hypoallergenic wheat flour suitable for patients allergic to wheat by using enzymatic fragmentation with cellulase and actinase. The hypoallergenic flour displayed potent inhibitory activity against allergen absorption and actively suppressed allergic reactions, probably inducing oral tolerance. The results suggest that hypoallergenic wheat flour has allergy-suppressive effects without inducing side effects.

Keywords: hypoallergenic wheat flour, wheat allergy, allergy suppression

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 295-297, 2004

Authors: Lee, Ki Won | Kim, Young Jun | Lee, Seong-Kweon | Lee, Hyong Joo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The application of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as a functional food ingredient has been limited due to its high cost of purification and insolubility in water. Recently, we reported a method to produce high-purity CLA using two-step urea-inclusion crystallization and a hydrophilic arginine-CLA (Arg-CLA) complex. The present study compared the oxidative stability and antioxidant activity of CLA and Arg-CLA. Hydroperoxide production from CLA increased about 12-fold at 10 hr after heat treatment at 100®C, …whereas Arg-CLA did not exhibit significant hydroperoxide production. Furthermore, the Arg-CLA complex showed synergistic antioxidant activity in a 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assay. Arg-CLA at 20 mM scavenged 89% of ABTS radicals in 3 h, whereas CLA alone quenched only 48% under the same conditions. Our results indicate that a hydrophilic Arg-CLA exhibits enhanced oxidative stability and antioxidant activity, which could expand the scope of CLA application in various food industries. Show more

Keywords: conjugated linoleic acid, arginine, Arg-CLA, hydrophilic, oxidative stability, antioxidant activity

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 299-301, 2004

Authors: Miyajima, Yoshiko | Kikuzaki, Hiroe | Hisamoto, Masashi | Nakatani, Nobuji

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The ethyl acetate-soluble part of allspice, berries of Pimenta dioica, showed strong antioxidant activity and radical-scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical. From the ethyl acetate-soluble part, two new compounds, 5-galloyloxy-3,4-dihydroxypentanoic acid and 5-(5-carboxymethyl-2-oxocyclopentyl)-3Z-pentenyl 6-O-galloyl-β-D-glucoside were isolated together with 11 known polyphenols by repeated column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS and various NMR spectroscopic data.All isolated compounds were evaluated for antioxidative effects on oxidation …of methyl linoleate under aeration and heating, and on peroxidation of liposome induced by 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)dihydrocloride (AAPH) as a water-soluble initiator along with their radical-scavenging activity against DPPH. Quercetin and its glycosides showed remarkable activity for scavenging DPPH radical and inhibiting peroxidation of liposome. Two new compounds also exhibited strong DPPH radical-scavenging activity and inhibitory effect on the peroxidation of liposome as myricetin. Show more

Keywords: Pimenta dioica, allspice, antioxidant, DPPH radical, polyphenol, liposome

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 301-303, 2004

Authors: Kondo, Keiji

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: It has been demonstrated that the light-to-moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is associated with significant reductions in all-cause and particularly cardiovascular mortality. While the inverse association between red-wine consumption and cardiovascular risk is globally recognized as the French paradox, many epidemiological studies have concluded that beer and red wine are equally beneficial. Moderate alcohol intake improves lipoprotein metabolism and lowers cardiovascular mortality risk. The question now is whether additional health benefits associated …with the non-alcohol components in beer may be expected. This article summarizes the results of the latest studies on the health benefits of beer while referring to our recent results, which demonstrate the preventive effects of beer and its components on lifestyle-related diseases. A series of studies using animal models have shown that beer may prevent carcinogenesis and osteoporosis; beer provides plasma with significant protection from oxidative stress; and isohumulones, the bitter substances derived from hops, may prevent and improve obesity and type-2 diabetes, improve lipid metabolism, and suppress atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the components in addition to isohumulones that are responsible for these beneficial effects of beer, and the underlying mechanisms must be addressed. Show more

Keywords: beer, hops, alcohol, lifestyle-related diseases, carcinogenesis, osteoporosis, oxidative stress, isohumulones, type-2 diabetes, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 303-310, 2004

Authors: Akazome, Yoko

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Apples contain many kinds of polyphenols, and the main components are oligomeric procyanidins. Applephenon® is apple polyphenol extract produced commercially from unripe apples, and has been used as food additive in order to prevent oxidation of components in foods and its application in functional foods is expected. In a lipid metabolism regulation study, administration of Applephenon® has the potential to exert strong anti-oxidative activity and to inhibit consumption of vitamin E and …anti-oxidative enzymes. Double blind clinical trials of Applephenon® on pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis, and tests using type I allergic model mice suggested that Applephenon® might regulate allergic reactions. We found the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of Applephenon® is greater than 2000 mg/kg in a 90~day consecutive oral administration toxicity test in rats, and Applephenon® is safe and acceptable based on mutagenicity tests. Show more

Keywords: polyphenols, Applephenon®, lipid metabolism regulation, anti-allergy, toxicity tests

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 311-314, 2004

Authors: Hamam, Fayez | Shahidi, Fereidoon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study aimed to incorporate capric acid (CA) into selected algal oils, namely arachidoinc acid single cell oil (ARASCO), docosahexaenoic acid single cell oil (DHASCO) and the OMEGA-GOLD oil rich in dcosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and dosapentaenoic acid (n-6 DPA). Response surface methodology indicated that under optimum conditions (12.3% enzyme, 45®C, and 29.4 h) CA incorporation was 20.0% into ARASCO; (4.2% enzyme, 43.3®C, and 27.1 h) 22.6% into DHASCO and (2.5% enzyme, 46.6®C …and 25.2 h) 20.7% into the OMEGA-GOLD oil. Stereospecific analysis indicated that in all oils examined CA was mainly located at the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the resultant TAG molecules while the highly unsaturated fatty acids being primarily esterified to the sn-2 positions of the three oils. In all cases, enzymatically modified oils were more susceptible to oxidation than their unmodified counterparts. Show more

Keywords: acidolysis, lipase, structured lipids, medium-chain fatty acids, capric acid (C10:0), algal oil, EPA, DHA, DPA, surface methodology (RSM)

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 315-317, 2004

Authors: Cha, Yong-Jun | Jeong, Eun-Jeong | Kim, Hun | Cho, Woo-Jin | Nam, Gi-Jin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Biological activity was examined on Alaska pollack sikhae produced with 4 treatments (by irradiating at 5 or 10 kGy, or by adding either 0.1 or 0.3% of chitooligosaccharide), compared with control (2-step fermentation only) during fermentation at -2°C. The extracts (500 ppm level) of sikhae had antimicrobial activities against 4 different strains of food poisoning bacteria such as Staphy. aureus, B. subtilis, B. cereus, and L. monocytogenes. Antioxidative activity (EDA_{50} , 11.55 mg/mL) in control …group increased with time up to 60 days of fermentation but decreased thereafter, while those levels in other products were kept within 10.60–18.30 mg/mL ranges during fermentation. Inhibitory activity of angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) (IC_{50} , 1.51–2.89 mg/mL) in all products was observed during fermentation except at 0 day. Inhibitory activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) (IC_{50} , 0.65–0.87 mg/mL) in all products also increased with time up to 30 days of fermentation. Without irradiating or adding of chitooligosaccharide, Alaska pollack sikhae showing biological activities was enough by 2-step fermentation and storage at -2°C only. Show more

Keywords: Alaska pollack sikhae, antimicrobial, antioxidative, ACE inhibitory, XO inhibitory activity

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 319-321, 2004

Authors: Hong, Dang Diem | Hien, Hoang Thi Minh

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Vietnamese edible marine macro-algae (seaweed) are of interest because of their value in nutrition and medicine. Vietnamese living in the coastal have traditionally utilized seaweeds species as food supplement and herbal medicine. They consumed seaweed as food in various forms: raw as salad and vegetable, pickle with sauce or with vinegar, relish or sweetened jellies and also cooked for vegetable soup. As herbal medicine, seaweed is usually used for traditional comestics, treatments for cough, asthma, hemorrhoid, …boils, goitres, stomach ailments, urinary diseases, reduce the incidence of tumors, ulcers and headaches. Although Vietnam has an abundance of algae floral with total number of species is estimated to be nearly 1000 spp. in which there are 638 species of marine algae identified. However, there have been no intense study regarding to changes in marine algal chemistry. The fifteen species of edible seaweeds studied in this paper include green, brown and red algae. The proximate compositions as ash, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, fatty acids, vitamines, pigments, macro and micro-elements were compared among different species examined and the genetic relationships among them by analyzing the species-specific differences in nucleotide sequences of ITS-1 region of the ribosomal DNA was identified. Show more

Keywords: edible seaweed, protein, lipid, fatty acid, macro and micro-elements, ITS-1 region of the rDNA

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 323-325, 2004

Authors: Zhuo, Xing-Gang | Watanabe, Shaw

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In food, other than known nutrients, such as lipid, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, and minerals, many substances with physiological function and medicinal action exist, and it is contributing to healthy improvement and/or prevention of illness. Although carotenoid, flavonoid and polyphenol, terpenoid, volatile substance and sulfur compounds, peptide, etc. have the function of illness prevention, and research of those non-nutrient functional food factors (FFF) became globally active, the research of this field is not …yet done systematically. We evaluate function of FFF and reappraise known knowledge, and this knowledge is standardized and accumulated, aimed at building a web database server-client system which is easy to use for the people and nutritional research. We also collected related data such as chemical characters of FFF from literatures and other source, and formatted them into the database. We constructed the web database server-client system with MySQL database server and Apache web server based on Linux, and used Tomcat JSP engine for data connecting since they were reliable in stability and speed. We are opening the database at http://www.life-science.jp/FFF for test now. Show more

Keywords: functional food factors, database, server-client, MySQL, JSP, linux

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 329-332, 2004

Authors: Miyamoto, Sayuri | Martinez, Glaucia R. | Martins, Ana Paula B. | Medeiros, Marisa H.G. | Di Mascio, Paolo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) is known to generate toxic products capable to induce tissue injury. We have recently confirmed that decomposition of LOOH into peroxyl radicals is a potential source of singlet oxygen (^1 O_2 ) in biological system. Using ^{18} O-labeled linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LA^{18} O^{18} OH) in the presence of Ce^{4+} or Fe^{2+} , we observed the formation of ^{18} …O-labeled ^1 O_2 (^{18} [^1 O_2 ]) by chemical trapping of ^1 O_2 with 9,10-diphenylanthracene (DPA) and detecting the corresponding ^{18} O-labeled DPA endoperoxide (DPA^{18} O^{18} O) by HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). ^{18} O-Labeled alcohol and ketone were also detected providing further evidence for the generation of ^1 O_2 by the Russell mechanism. Similarly the reaction of LA^{18} O^{18} OH with peroxynitrite also generated^{18} [^1 O_2 ].In conclusion, these results indicates that the use of ^{18} O-labeled LOOH associated with HPLC-MS/MS can be an useful tool to clarify mechanistic features involved in the reaction of LOOH in biological media. Show more

Keywords: linoleic acid hydroperoxide, singlet oxygen, HPLC-MS/MS, ^{18}O-labeled hydroperoxide

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 333-339, 2004

Authors: Kimura, Toshiyuki | Nakagawa, Kiyotaka | Saito, Yuko | Yamagishi, Kenji | Suzuki, Masahiro | Yamaki, Kohji | Shinmoto, Hiroshi | Miyazawa, Teruo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A simple and rapid method for determining 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a potent glucosidase inihibitor present in mulberry leaves (Morus alba and Morus bombysis), by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) has been developed. DNJ was separated from extract of mulberry leaves on TSK gel Amide-80 column, which is a representative column for hydrophilic interaction chromatography. During post column detection, DNJ was detected by ELSD and concurrently identified by mass …spectrometry. The detection limit was 100 ng. This method is sufficiently sensitive for determining DNJ in mulberry leaves and other related products. Show more

Keywords: 1-Deoxynojirimycin, evaporative light scattering detector, mulberry leaves, morus alba

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 341-345, 2004

Authors: Naoe, Kazumitsu | Noda, Kazuki | Konishi, Taiji | Kawagoe, Mikio | Imai, Masanao

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The liquid-liquid extraction of α-lactalbumin based on reverse micellar organic solvents was investigated. Forward extraction of the protein in the reverse micellar organic phase from aqueous feed solutions was strongly dependent on the initial pH of the feed solution and the complete forward extraction of 0.03 mM α-lactalbumin was successfully achieved at pH 6.0. The forward extraction percentage steeply decreased with increasing KCl concentration, while in the NaCl system the forward extraction was independent …on the salt concentration below 1 M. From the circular dichroic measurement, higher order structure of the recovered α-lactalbumin through the extraction process was well preserved. Show more

Keywords: α-Lactalbumin, reverse micelle, extraction

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 347-351, 2004

Authors: Ouchi, Kazuyuki | Gamache, Paul | Acworth, Ian | Watanabe, Shaw

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We evaluated the use of HPLC multi-channel coulometric electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) for the routine measurement of phytochemicals by analyzing standards and urine samples. Compounds were separated chromatographically and electrochemically with high sensitivity (10 ng/ml of isoflavones in urine). HPLC-ECD will enable better investigation into the relationship between lifestyle and the effects of phytochemicals on humans.

Citation: BioFactors, vol. 22, no. 1-4, pp. 353-356, 2004