Search

The molecular basis for the carnosine-induced activation of intestinal epithelial cells was studied and subsequently we focused on whether carnosine stimulates a brain–gut interaction. To assess this, we investigated changes in intestinal epithelial cells induced by carnosine. Our results showed that carnosine activated Caco-2 cells, resulting in the secretion of various factors (including neurotrophic factors), and leading to the induction of neurite growth in SY-SY5Y cells. We then conducted DNA microarray analysis to reveal global changes in Caco-2 cells via treatment with carnosine. The expression of 745 genes significantly changed upon carnosine treatment. Furthermore, cluster analysis showed that several of these genes were related to secretory proteins, membrane protein/transporters, and calcium channel/transport protein. Some of these genes would explain the mechanism of carnosine action, especially considering stimulation of the brain–gut interaction.

Many anti-allergic foods or food-derived factors have so far been reported. In this study, we screened for anti-allergic lactic acid bacteria (LABs) using the human basophilic cell line, KU812F. IgE crosslinking induced Ca2+ influx and subsequent histamine release in KU812F cells. The abilities of LAB strains to suppress the increase in [Ca2+]i level triggered by IgE crosslinking and to suppress histamine release triggered by the increased [Ca2+]i level was subsequently examined. Among the LAB strains tested, five (i.e., T2101, C0102, H1001, C1103, and H0709) suppressed both the increase in [Ca2+]i and histamine release. Thus, these five LAB strains may be candidate anti-allergic LABs. Elucidation of common structures and cell content in these LAB strains may provide a molecular basis for the anti-allergic properties of specific foods and facilitate the development of novel anti-allergic foods.