Search

The elder population has increased, introducing the profound medical and social challenge of maintaining health in aging seniors and the need for a medical approach to sustaining physical and mental health. The relationship between diseases and lifestyle-related factors such as diet and exercise are important. A health-conscious lifestyle improves one’s health condition from a medical perspective, as indicated by new wellness monitoring using health devices and recent research into the efficacy of functional lunches incorporating utilitarian agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foods. For a period of 3 months, and solely at lunchtime, 21 participants consumed the contents of a bento (Japanese box lunch), which incorporated functional (healthy) foods. A variety of factors were analyzed, including: weight, weight fluctuation rate, abdominal girth, triglycerides, total cholesterol value, and 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine). The bento comprising functional foods resulted in a reduction in both weight and abdominal girth without calorie restrictions. A reduction over time was observed in 8-OHdG, an oxidative stress marker, as compared to values prior to initiation of the study. Usage of a health device, exercise/dietary advice from a physician and nutritionist, and the availability of meals incorporating functional agricultural products might help prevent lifestyle disease and lead to improved health management.

Abstract Here, we demonstrated the expression of the N-glycosylated extracellular ligand binding domain of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in middle silk glands (MSGs) of transgenic silkworms using the GAL4/UAS system. Over 1 mg of sRAGE was obtained from one transgenic silkworm. sRAGE purified from the silkworm exhibited good stability and maintained specific ligand-binding ability. In addition, N-glycan analysis of sRAGE revealed that N-glucan completely lacked potentially allergenic fucose. Moreover, co-expression of biotin ligase (BirA) with C-terminal BioEase-tagged sRAGE in MSGs resulted in efficient biotinylation of sRAGE after addition of biotin bait. C-terminal biotinylated sRAGE could be immobilized onto a solid surface in one direction through binding to streptavidin without any loss of ability. The dissociation constant of sRAGE with fructose-BSA, a typical RAGE ligand, was 7.25 × 10−7 M, consistent with that on the mammalian cell surface. Thus, we developed a novel, innovative silkworm expression system for efficient expression of recombinant sRAGE, which could serve as a basis for the elucidation of RAGE-ligand interactions and facilitate the search for new ligands and inhibitors.

Dyslipidaemia is a significant cardiovascular risk factor. Green tea catechins are known to have cholesterol-lowering effects. We investigated the beneficial effects of “Benifuuki,” containing O-methylated catechin, on cardiovascular risk factors, specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. One-hundred fifty-five participants who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 3 groups: “Benifuuki,” “Yabukita,” or barley infusion drinkers. We evaluated the changes in parameters after 12 weeks. Serum LDL cholesterol levels in the “Benifuuki”-consuming participants were significantly lower than those in barley infusion-consuming participants without a green tea habit. Furthermore, the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 containing apolipoprotein B (LAB) levels in “Benifuuki” drinkers were significantly lower than those in the barley infusion group and the “Benifuuki” baseline LAB level. In participants without a green tea habit, “Benifuuki” significantly reduced the serum LDL cholesterol level and the LAB levels compared to those observed after barley infusion consumption.

Background: Methylated catechin, one of the active ingredients in green tea, has been reported to ameliorate allergic reactions. We evaluated the efficacy of 'Benifuuki' green tea, which contains O-methylated epigallocatechin-3-O-[3-O-methyl] gallate (O-methylated EGCG), in alleviating Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP). Methods: The study was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The subjects with JCP were randomly assigned to drink 700 ml of 'Benifuuki' green tea containing O-methylated EGCG or 'Yabukita' green tea (not containing O-methylated EGCG) as a placebo every day from December 2007 through March 2008, which includes the pollen season. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of symptom scores during the peak pollen season. Results: Fifty-one adults with JCP participated in the study. Twenty-six subjects were assigned to 'Benifuuki' and 25 to 'Yabukita'. The AUC of symptom score during the peak pollen season in the 'Benifuuki' group was significantly smaller than in the 'Yabukita' group for each of runny nose, itchy eyes, tearing, total nasal symptom score, total ocular symptom score, nasal symptom-medication score and ocular symptom-medication score. The total QOL-related questionnaire score for one week in the peak pollen season was significantly better in the 'Benifuuki' group. Increase in the peripheral eosinophil count in response to pollen exposure was suppressed in the 'Benifuuki' group. No adverse events were reported in either group. Conclusions: 'Benifuuki' green tea containing a large amount of O-methylated EGCG reduced the symptoms of JCP and has potential as a complementary/alternative medicine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Background: We previously reported that 'benifuuki' green tea containing O-methylated catechin significantly relieved the symptoms of perennial or seasonal rhinitis compared with a placebo green tea that did not contain O-methylated catechin in randomized double-blind clinical trials. In this study we assessed the effects of 'benifuuki' green tea on clinical symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Methods: An open-label, single-dose, randomized, parallel-group study was performed on 38 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis. The subjects were randomly assigned to long-term (December 27, 2006 – April 8, 2007, 1.5 months before pollen exposure) or short-term (February 15, 2007: after cedar pollen dispersal – April 8, 2007) drinking of a 'benifuuki' tea drink containing 34 mg O-methylated catechin per day. Each subject recorded their daily symptom scores in a diary. The primary efficacy variable was the mean weekly nasal symptom medication score during the study period. Results: The nasal symptom medication score in the long-term intake group was significantly lower than that of the short-term intake group at the peak of pollen dispersal. The symptom scores for throat pain, nose-blowing, tears, and hindrance to activities of daily living were significantly better in the long-term group than the short-term group. In particular, the differences in the symptom scores for throat pain and nose-blowing between the 2 groups were marked. Conclusions: We conclude that drinking 'benifuuki' tea for 1.5 months prior to the cedar pollen season is effective in reducing symptom scores for Japanese cedar pollinosis.

BACKGROUND: Green tea has various health promotion effects. Although there are numerous tea cultivars, little is known about the differences in their nutraceutical properties. Metabolic profiling techniques can provide information on the relationship between the metabolome and factors such as phenotype or quality. Here, we performed metabolomic analyses to explore the relationship between the metabolome and health-promoting attributes (bioactivity) of diverse Japanese green tea cultivars. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We investigated the ability of leaf extracts from 43 Japanese green tea cultivars to inhibit thrombin-induced phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). This thrombin-induced phosphorylation is a potential hallmark of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Among the tested cultivars, Cha Chuukanbohon Nou-6 (Nou-6) and Sunrouge (SR) strongly inhibited MRLC phosphorylation. To evaluate the bioactivity of green tea cultivars using a metabolomics approach, the metabolite profiles of all tea extracts were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Multivariate statistical analyses, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), revealed differences among green tea cultivars with respect to their ability to inhibit MRLC phosphorylation. In the SR cultivar, polyphenols were associated with its unique metabolic profile and its bioactivity. In addition, using partial least-squares (PLS) regression analysis, we succeeded in constructing a reliable bioactivity-prediction model to predict the inhibitory effect of tea cultivars based on their metabolome. This model was based on certain identified metabolites that were associated with bioactivity. When added to an extract from the non-bioactive cultivar Yabukita, several metabolites enriched in SR were able to transform the extract into a bioactive extract. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that metabolic profiling is a useful approach for nutraceutical evaluation of the health promotion effects of diverse tea cultivars. This may propose a novel strategy for functional food design.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in both the pathogenesis and alleviation of host depression by modulating the brain-gut axis. We have developed a murine model of human depression called the subchronic and mild social defeat stress (sCSDS) model, which impacts not only behavior but also the host gut microbiota and gut metabolites, including bile acids. In this study, we utilized liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to explore the effects of sCSDS on the mouse fecal bile acid profile. sCSDS mice exhibited significantly elevated levels of deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) in fecal extracts, leading to a notable increase in total bile acids and 7a-dehydroxylated secondary bile acids. Consequently, a noteworthy negative correlation was identified between the abundances of DCA and LCA and the social interaction score, an indicator of susceptibility in stressed mice. Furthermore, analysis of the colonic microbiome unveiled a negative correlation between the abundance of CDCA and Turicibacter. Additionally, DCA and LCA exhibited positive correlations with Oscillospiraceae and Lachnospiraceae but negative correlations with the Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group. These findings suggest that sCSDS impacts the bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota and bile acids and is associated with reduced social interaction, a behavioral indicator of susceptibility in stressed mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Conglycinin (β-CG), a major soy protein, has been associated with the reduction of body fat and triglycerides in the blood. Quantitation of the α, α, and β subunits in β-CG is desirable to establish the functional properties of β-CG in soybean. Therefore, in this study, we used the Jess System, a capillary electrophoresis-based immunoassay system, for quantifying β-CG in soybean foods. The validity of this method was confirmed using soybeans and processed soy milk. The within-laboratory reproducibility of the total β-CG amount was < 15 %, and its trueness was > 80 %. The β-CG content in the commercially available soybeans, Kori-tofu, soy milk, soy yogurt, Okara powder, and soy meat was determined to be 40.3-148.5, 65.2-97.2, 6.1-7.8, 3.5, 18.0, and 57.5 mg/g, respectively. For the first time in the literature, this method enables the quantitation of individual subunits of β-CG, despite the large variation in the amount of each subunit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a rich source of lycopene, a carotenoid that confers various positive biological effects such as improved lipid metabolism. Here, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study to investigate the effects of regular and continuous intake of a new high-lycopene tomato, a variety named PR-7, for 12 weeks, based on 74 healthy Japanese subjects with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥120 to <160 mg/dL. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the high-lycopene tomato or placebo (lycopene-free tomato) group. Each subject in the high-lycopene group ingested 50 g of semidried PR-7 (lycopene, 22.0–27.8 mg/day) each day for 12 weeks, while subjects in the placebo group ingested placebo semidried tomato. Medical interviews were conducted, vital signs were monitored, body composition was determined, and blood and saliva samples were taken at weeks 0 (baseline), 4, 8, and 12. The primary outcome assessed was LDL-C. The intake of high-lycopene tomato increased lycopene levels in this group compared to levels in the placebo group (p < 0.001). In addition, high-lycopene tomato intake improved LDL-C (p = 0.027). The intake of high-lycopene tomato, PR-7, reduced LDL-C and was confirmed to be safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to propose a new method of predicting the depassivation of PC steel. This is achieved by clarifying the characteristics of the passivation film on PC steel in the transition state from passivation to depassivation using polished PC steel samples and electrodes immersed in an alkaline environment simulating the interior of concrete. The new method is based on the following results. First, it has proved possible to judge the presence of corrosion from the change in the immersion potential of PC steel electrodes in an alkaline environment, but information about the degradation of the passivation film with time has not been obtained. Next, to clarify, it was shown that depassivation of PC steel can be predicted based on the decline in film resistance in the low-frequency range in electrochemical impedance with lapse of time. Under the experimental conditions used in this study, it was observed that depassivation could occur when the passivation film resistance was less than 2.0 MΩ cm². In addition, spectroscopic ellipsometry results confirmed that a correlation exists between this resistance in the low-frequency range and the passivation film thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study showing the potential for the synthesis of various O-methylated polyphenols that may be applied to in vivo and in vitro studies and functional diets. Topics mentioned include the isolation of the enzyme gene and expression of the recombinant enzyme, the structure elucidation of O-methylated EGCGs (epigallocatechin gallates), and optimal pH and temperature of the enzyme. It also details the time-dependent changes in O-methylated EGCG production.

In an effort to identify tea cultivars with high flavonol content, we measured flavonol glycoside levels in the tea infusions of cultivars in the collection of the National Institute of Vegetable and Tea Science. The cultivars 'Saemidori', 'Sofu', 'Surugawase', 'Fukumidori', and 'Asatsuyu' among others could be effective sources of quercetin compared to other tea cultivars. Quercetin glycosides in "Saemidori" and "Sofu" remained at a relatively high level (110-170 µg/mL aglycone equivalent). These cultivars are indicated as effective sources of dietary quercetin, and are potential sources of quercetin-rich drinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research paper in which several 0-methylated theaflavins (TFs) were synthesized by using O-methyltransferase from an edible mushroom and S9 fractions and inhibitory effect on H20 2-induced oxidative damage in human HepG2 cells were investigated. Topics discussed include the viability of H20 2-damaged HepG2 cells treated with TFs and 0-methylated TFs, polyphenol, and the inhibitory effect on oxidative damage.

We investigated the effects of extracts of Benifuuki (a tea cultivar that contains methylated catechins such as epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3''Me)) in mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose (HF/HS) diet. This tea cultivar was then compared with an extract of Yabukita (a popular tea cultivar that lacks methylated catechins). For 6 weeks, C57BL/6J mice were fed either HF/HS diet with or without tea extracts from tea cultivars, which contained almost identical ingredients except for methylated catechins (i.e., Yabukita (0.2% and 1%) or Benifuuki (0.2% and 1%) extract powders). Supplementation with Benifuuki 0.2% markedly lowered plasma levels of TG and NEFAs compared with mice supplemented with Yabukita 0.2%. The diet containing Benifuuki 1% decreased adipose tissue weights, liver TG, and expression of lipogenic genes in the liver. These results suggested that Benifuuki had much greater lipid-lowering effects than Yabukita. Taken together, these data suggest that methylated catechins direct the strong lipid-lowering activity of Benifuuki [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-allergic effect of epigallocatechin-3-O-3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3"Me) and epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG4"Me) isolated from Japanese or Taiwanese tea (Camellia sinensis L.) leaves. These catechins strongly inhibited mast cell activation and histamine release after FcepsilonRI cross-linking through the suppression of tyrosine phosphorylation (Lyn) of cellular protein kinase, and the suppression of myosin light chain phosphorylation and high-affinity IgE receptor expression via the binding to 67kDa laminin receptor. A double blind clinical study on subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis was carried out. At the eleventh weeks after starting to intake, the most severe cedar pollen scattering period, symptoms i.e. blowing nose, itch of eyes were significantly relieved in Benifuuki group compared with placebo group. Over one consecutive month intake of Benifuuki green containing O-methylated catechin tea was useful for reduction of some symptoms derived from Japanese cedar pollinosis, and did not affect any normal immune response in the subjects with Japanese cedar-pollinosis. From the investigation that the effects of cultivars, tea seasons of crops and manufacturing methods, green or semi-fermented teas, made from fully-matured Benifuuki in second crop season, should be consumed. It is possible to develop functional articles such as beverage or food with this Benifuuki green tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  ‘Benifuuki’, a tea (Camellia Sinensis L.) cultivar in Japan, is rich in anti-allergic epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3″Me). ‘Benifuuki’ green tea and simultaneous addition of ginger extract remarkably suppressed cytokine (TNF-α and MIP-1α) secretion from mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells after antigen stimulation and, as expected, suppressed delay-type allergy. After drinking ‘benifuuki’ green tea containing 43.5 mg of EGCG and 8.5 mg of EGCG3″Me, the AUC (area under the drug concentration time curve; min μg/ml) of EGCG was 6.72 � 2.87 and EGCG3″Me was 8.48 � 2.54 in healthy human volunteers. Though the dose of EGCG was 5.1 times the dose of EGCG3″Me, the AUC of EGCG3″Me was higher than that of EGCG. A double blind clinical study on subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis was carried out. At the 11th week after starting the study, in the most severe cedar pollen scattering period, symptoms, i.e., blowing the nose and itching eyes, were significantly relieved in the ‘benifuuki’ intake group compared with the placebo group, and blowing the nose, itching eyes and nasal symptom score, and at the 11th and 13th weeks, stuffy nose, throat pain and the nasal symptom medication score were significantly relieved in the ‘benifuuki’ containing ginger extract group compared with the placebo group. These results suggested that over one consecutive month, drinking ‘benifuuki’ green tea was useful to reduce some of the symptoms from Japanese cedar pollinosis, and did not affect any normal immune response in subjects with seasonal rhinitis, and the ginger extract enhanced the effect of ‘benifuuki’ green tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new human fusion partner, ICLU-T was established for making human T-T hybridomas. Some 6-thioguanine resistant (6-TG...(\rm r)) clones were separated from human T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, PEER. The fastest growing clone of the 6-TG...(\rm r) cells was scaled up and was cultured in serum free medium. The clone that proliferated most quickly in the serum free medium was separated and named ICLU-T. When ICLU-T was fused with human peripheral blood lymphocytes by using only polyethylene glycol, the viability of fused cells was below 20 percent efficiency was 0.01\thicksim0.02 per 10...5 parent cells. Whereas, the combined use of 1 percent and the fusion efficiencies over 0.2 per 10...5 parent cells on the average. In a total of 34 clones of obtained hybridomas, there were 25 CD2 positive clones. CD4 positive or CD8 positive clones of the CD2 positive clones were 12 and 5 clones, respectively. Further, 4 clones of all hybridomas were CD19 positive, and one clone of these hybridomas was an Ig producer. These obtained hybridomas could proliferate in serum free medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate human immune responses, it is useful to use cultured human immunological cell lines. Cell fusion is one method to immortalize desired cells. Therefore, we established HAT sensitive human fusion partners, ICLU-B derived from human burkitt lymphoma, ICLU-T from human T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia, ICLU-E from human eosinophilic leukemia, for efficiently making various human immunological hybridomas. When each fusion partner was fused with human peripheral blood lymphocytes or cord blood lymphocytes, their fusion efficiencies were about 1.3, 0.3 and 0.4 clones per 10∧ fusion partners. Approximately 70% derived from ICLU-B were CD19 positive hybridomas, and approximately 80% CD4 positive or CD8 positive hybridomas of the CD2 positive were approximately 35% hybridomas derived from ICLU-E were CD2 or CD19 positive hybridomas, phagocytosis was observed in the remaining hybridomas which were both CD2 and CD19 negative. Most obtained hybridomas could proliferate in serum free medium as well as the fusion partners. These results suggested that ICLU-B, -T, -E were useful for making human hybridomas derived from various immunological cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunrouge is an anthocyanin-rich, new tea cultivar that contains similar levels of catechins as Yabukita, the most popular tea cultivar consumed in Japan. Interestingly, Sunrouge preparations have previously been shown to have more pronounced acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and anticolitis activities than those of Yabukita. In this study, we examined their effects on expressions of self-defensive molecules, including heat shock proteins (HSPs), which are molecular chaperones involved in homeostasis and longevity. Hot water extract from freeze-dried Sunrouge significantly upregulated messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of HSP40, HSP70, and HSP32 (heme oxygenase-1), with grades greater than those shown by Yabukita. Oral administration of freeze-dried preparation of Sunrouge to male ICR mice at a dose of 1% in the basal diet for 1 month resulted in marked upregulations of several HSP mRNA expressions in mucosa from the gastrointestinal tract, especially the upper small intestine. Again, its efficacy was remarkably higher than that of Yabukita. Moreover, exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to Sunrouge conferred thermoresistant phenotype, and also resulted in a significant life-span elongation. Taken together, our results suggest that Sunrouge is a unique and promising tea cultivar for regulating self-defense systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]