Search

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated associations between gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and cognitive decline. However, relationships between these factors and lipopolysaccharides (LPS; molecules of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria) remain controversial.Objective: To evaluate associations between plasma LPS, gut microbiota, and cognitive function.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional sub-analysis of data of 127 participants (women: 58%, mean age: 76 years) from our prospective cohort study regarding the relationship between gut microbiota and cognitive function. We enrolled patients who visited our memory clinic and assessed demographics, dementia-related risk factors, cognitive function, brain imaging, gut microbiomes, and microbial metabolites. We evaluated relationships between cognitive decline and plasma LPS using multivariable logistic regression analyses.Results: Plasma LPS concentration increased with increasing degree of cognitive decline and total cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) score (Kruskal-Wallis test; p = 0.016 and 0.007, respectively). Participants with high plasma LPS concentrations tended to have lower concentrations of gut microbial metabolites, such as lactic acid and acetic acid, and were less likely to consume fish and shellfish (44.7% versus 69.6%, p = 0.027) than those with low plasma LPS concentrations. Multivariable analyses revealed that plasma LPS concentration was independently associated with the presence of mild cognitive impairment in participants without dementia (odds ratio: 2.09, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-3.84, p = 0.007).Conclusion: In this preliminary study, plasma LPS concentration was associated with both cognitive decline and cerebral SVD and significantly correlated with beneficial gut microbial metabolites. Plasma LPS may be a risk factor for cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated associations between gut microbiota, microbial metabolites, and cognitive decline. However, relationships between these factors and neurofilament light chain (NfL; a disease-nonspecific biomarker of neural damage) remain controversial.Objective: To evaluate the associations between plasma NfL, gut microbiota, and cognitive function.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional sub-analysis of data from our prospective cohort study that was designed to investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and cognitive function. Patients who visited our memory clinic were enrolled and demographics, dementia-related risk factors, cognitive function, brain imaging, gut microbiomes, and microbial metabolites were assessed. We evaluated the relationships between the gut microbiome, microbial metabolites, and plasma NfL. Moreover, the relationships between plasma NfL and cognitive function were assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses.Results: We analyzed 128 participants (women: 59%, mean age: 74 years). Participants with high (above the median) plasma NfL concentrations tended to be older, women, and hypertensive and have a history of stroke, chronic kidney disease, and dementia. Plasma NfL was also associated with cerebral small vessel disease. However, plasma NfL levels were not significantly correlated with gut microbial metabolites. Multivariable analyses revealed that a higher plasma NfL concentration was independently associated with the presence of dementia (odds ratio: 9.94, 95% confidence interval: 2.75-48.2, p < 0.001).Conclusion: High plasma NfL concentration was independently associated with the presence of dementia as previously reported. However, plasma NfL levels were not significantly correlated with gut microbial metabolites in this preliminary study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the 1975 type Japanese diet was prepared and its effects and related mechanism were examined in mice. Mice were assigned to three experimental groups, the CD group fed a control diet, the MD group fed a modern Japanese diet (MD), and the JD group fed the 1975 type Japanese diet (JD) for 4 weeks. MD and JD were low protein, high fat, and high carbohydrate diets compared to the CD. Total white adipose tissue weights were significantly increased in the MD group compared to those in the CD group and were decreased in the JD group compared to those in the MD group. In the JD group, adipocyte hypertrophy was inhibited and Hsl mRNA expression was enhanced in epididymal adipose tissue and the number of bacteria associated with the production of short chain fatty acids was increased. Therefore, the JD inhibits lipid accumulation in white adipose tissue. Actb: β-actin; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; ANOVA: analyses of variance; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; Fas: fatty acid synthase; G6pdx: glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase; HE: hematoxylin and eosin; HOMA-IR: Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance; Hsl: hormone-sensitive lipase; JD: 1975 type Japanese diet; Leptin: leptin; MD: modern Japanese diet; Me: malic enzyme; NEFA: non-esterified fatty acids; PL: phospholipids; Pparδ: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta; Pparγ: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma; qRT-PCR: quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; SAMP8: senescence-accelerated prone 8; SEM: standard error of the mean; Srebp1c: Sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c; TBARS: thiobarbituric acid reactive substance; TC: total cholesterol; TG: Triacylglycerol; V3: variable regions 3 To investigate the mechanism of effects of the 1975 type Japanese diet in humans, this study investigated variations in lipid metabolism and intestinal microflora in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo and in vitro evidence has shown that mushrooms have the potential to prevent prostate cancer. However, the relationship between mushroom consumption and incident prostate cancer in humans has never been investigated. In the present study, a total of 36,499 men, aged 40–79 years, who participated in the Miyagi Cohort Study in 1990 and in the Ohsaki Cohort Study in 1994 were followed for a median of 13.2 years. Data on mushroom consumption (categorized as <1, 1–2 and ≥3 times/week) was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for prostate cancer incidence. During 574,397 person‐years of follow‐up, 1,204 (3.3%) cases of prostate cancer were identified. Compared to participants with mushroom consumption <1 time/week, frequent mushroom intake was associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer (1–2 times/week: HRs [95% CIs] = 0.92 [0.81, 1.05]; ≥3 times/week: HRs [95% CIs] = 0.83 [0.70, 0.98]; p‐trend = 0.023). This inverse relationship was especially obvious among participants aged ≥50 years and did not differ by clinical stage of cancer and intake of vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy products. The present study showed an inverse relationship between mushroom consumption and incident prostate cancer among middle‐aged and elderly Japanese men, suggesting that habitual mushroom intake might help to prevent prostate cancer. What's new? Mushrooms have long been used as a source of food and medicine in Asian cultures and are suspected of possessing anticancer properties. Whether the consumption of mushrooms can help prevent cancer, however, remains unknown. In the present study, among men who enrolled in the Miyagi and Ohsaki cohort studies in Japan in 1990 and 1994, respectively, long‐term follow‐up indicates that frequent mushroom consumption is associated with reduced prostate cancer risk. The effect was especially pronounced in men age 50 or older and in those with relatively low in fruit and vegetable intake and high in meat and dairy intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although it has been suggested that the Japanese diet contributes to the longevity of the Japanese population, no study has examined the association between the Japanese diet and survival time. The present study investigated the association between the Japanese diet and survival time. We analyzed 20-year follow-up data from a cohort study of 14,764 Japanese men and women aged 40–79 years. At the baseline survey in 1994, we collected dietary information using a validated 40-item food frequency questionnaire. Adherence to a Japanese diet consisting of nine components (rice, miso soup, seaweeds, pickles, green and yellow vegetables, fish, green tea, beef and pork, and coffee) was assessed in terms of a Japanese dietary index (JDI) score, the total score ranging from 0 to 9. Cox proportional hazards model and Laplace regression analysis were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and differences in median age at death (50th percentile differences – PDs in age at death) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to the quartiles of the JDI score. During the follow-up period, we documented 4,619 deaths. We observed that a higher JDI score was associated with a lower risk of mortality and longer survival time: In comparison to participants in the lowest JDI score quartile (0–4), the multivariate-adjusted HR (95% CI) of all-cause mortality was 0.91 (0.83–0.99) and the multivariate-adjusted 50th PD in age at death (95% CI) was 10.2 (3.2–17.2) months longer for those in the highest quartile (7–9). Adherence to a Japanese diet is associated with a longer survival time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have revealed an association between the dysregulation of the gut microbiome and dementia. However, whether this dysregulation is associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of cognitive decline, in patients without dementia remains unclear. We performed a cross-sectional analysis to determine the association between the gut microbiome and MCI. Data, including patient demographics, risk factors, cognitive function, and brain imaging, were collected. The gut microbiome was assessed through terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify factors independently associated with MCI. Graphical modelling was used to illustrate mutual associations between MCI and identified factors. We analysed 82 patients, 61 of whom exhibited MCI. Patients with MCI had a higher prevalence of Bacteroides. Furthermore, patients with more Bacteroides were more likely to present with white matter hyperintensity and high voxel-based specific regional analysis system for Alzheimer's Disease (VSRAD) scores, indicating cortical and hippocampal atrophy. A multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater prevalence of Bacteroides was independently associated with MCI. Graphical modelling also showed a close association between Bacteroides and MCI. In conclusion, an increased prevalence of Bacteroides is independently associated with the presence of MCI in patients without dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiologic observations have raised expectations that the Japanese dietary pattern could promote longer disability-free survival (DFS) times among the Japanese population; however, no previous study has examined this issue.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the Japanese dietary pattern and DFS time in the elderly Japanese population.Methods: We analyzed follow-up data covering a 10-y period for 9456 elderly Japanese individuals (aged ≥65 y) participating in a community-based prospective cohort study. Dietary habits were assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire. Based on previous studies, we used 9 food items to calculate the Japanese Diet Index (JDI) score: rice, miso soup, fish and shellfish, green and yellow vegetables, seaweed, pickled vegetables, green tea (1 point for each item if the consumption value was more than or equal to the median, and 0 points otherwise), beef and pork, and coffee (0 points for each item if the consumption value was more than or equal to the median, and 1 point otherwise). Differences in median age at incident disability or death [50th percentile differences (PDs)] according to quartiles (Q1-Q4) of the JDI score were estimated using Laplace regression.Results: During the follow-up period, 4233 (44.8%) incident disability or death events occurred. In addition, a higher JDI score was significantly associated with longer DFS time: compared with the lowest quartile of JDI scores (Q1), the multivariate-adjusted 50th PD (95% CI) was 7.1 (1.8, 12.4) mo longer for Q4. Each 1-SD increase of the JDI score was associated with 3.7 (1.7, 5.7) additional months of life without disability (P-trend < 0.01). No differences were seen in sex or chronic condition (no or ≥1 chronic condition) at baseline. A post hoc analysis showed a larger effect on DFS time when using a modified JDI score without coffee.Conclusion: These results suggest that the Japanese dietary pattern is associated with improved DFS time in the general elderly population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether the intake of the 1975 Japanese diet (JD) could reduce the amount of abdominal fat in people with overweight.Methods: Using a single-blind randomized controlled trial, the modern diet (MD) was compared with the 1975-type JD, which is based on the MD but includes five characteristics of the 1975 JD in an enhanced form. Overweight people were randomly assigned to an MD group (n = 30) and a JD group (n = 30). The participants consumed test diets that were provided three times a day for 28 days. Body composition measurements and blood biochemical examinations were performed before and after the test diet intake, and the proportions of change were compared.Results: Those in the JD group had significantly decreased BMI, fat mass, and levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein (P = 0.002, 0.015, 0.014, 0.012, and 0.039, respectively) and significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with those in the MD group (P = 0.020).Conclusions: The intake of a diet with the characteristics of the 1975 JD may have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism in people with overweight and reduce the onset risk of metabolism-related disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP8) to examine the effects of a carbohydrate-restricted diet on aging and skin senescence, to determine how long-term carbohydrate restriction affects the aging process. Three-week-old male SAMP8 mice were divided into three groups after 1 week of preliminary feeding: one was given a controlled diet, the other was given a high-fat diet, and the third was given a carbohydrate-restricted diet. Ad libitum feeding was administered until the mice reached 50 weeks of age. Before the end of the test period, a grading test was used to evaluate visible aging in the mice. After the test period, serum and skin samples in mice were obtained and submitted for analysis. As a result, the grading test demonstrated that there was significant progression of visible aging in the carbohydrate-restricted group, as well as a decreased survival rate. Histological examination of the skin revealed that the epidermis and dermis in the carbohydrate-restricted group had become thinner. Analysis of the mechanisms involved demonstrated an increase in serum interleukin-6, aggravated skin senescence, inhibition of skin autophagy and activation of skin mTOR. Therefore, this study proved that a carbohydrate-restricted diet promoted skin senescence in senescence-accelerated mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to find new physiological effects of the Japanese diet. First, to determine the key components in serum from mice fed the 1975 diet, serum from mice fed the 1960, 1975, 1990 or 2005 Japanese diet was analyzed using CE-TOFMS and LC-TOFMS. Based on these results, the key components were determined by principal component analysis. Among the identified compounds, GABA was included. Therefore, a stress reduction effect was inferred as a novel physiological effect of this diet. Next, we tested whether the 1975 diet had an actual stress reduction effect in mice. Mice were given the 1975 diet or a control diet for 4 weeks, after which they were divided into restraint stress and non-stress groups. Mice fed the 1975 diet had significantly decreased stress parameters compared with those fed the control diet. These results provide the first evidence that the 1975 Japanese diet has a stress reduction effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the effects on offspring of ingestion of the 1975 Japanese diet during pregnancy and lactation and after weaning in mice. Pregnant dams were divided into groups that were fed the Japanese diet or a control diet and raised until offspring were weaned. The offspring after weaning were further divided into groups that were raised on the Japanese diet or the control diet. Ingestion of the Japanese diet after weaning suppressed accumulation of visceral fat in offspring, and reduced the amount of lipids in serum and liver. This effect was weakened if the Japanese diet was only ingested during pregnancy and lactation. Therefore, it was suggested that ingestion of the Japanese diet of mothers during pregnancy and lactation weakens the lipid accumulation inhibitory effect of the Japanese diet in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers remains an unmet challenge, and new approaches that can improve current AD biomarker strategies are needed. Recent reports suggested that microRNA (miRNA) profiling of biological fluids has emerged as a diagnostic tool for several pathologic conditions. In this study, we measured six candidate miRNAs (miR-9, miR-29a, miR-29b, miR-34a, miR-125b, and miR-146a) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD and normal subjects by using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to evaluate their potential usability as AD biomarkers. The qRT-PCR results showed that plasma miR-34a and miR-146a levels, and CSF miR-34a, miR-125b, and miR-146a levels in AD patients were significantly lower than in control subjects. On the other hand, CSF miR-29a and miR-29b levels were significantly higher than in control subjects. Our results provide a possibility that miRNAs detected in plasma and CSF can serve as biomarkers for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) is hypothesized to play a key role by oxidatively impairing the capacity of red blood cells (RBCs) to deliver oxygen to the brain. These processes are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although plasma Aβ has been investigated thoroughly, the presence and distribution of Aβ in human RBCs are still unclear. In this study, we quantitated Ab40 and Ab42 in human RBCs with ELISA assays, and provided evidence that significant amounts of Aβ could be detected in RBCs and that the RBC Aβ levels increased with aging. The RBC Aβ levels increased with aging. On the other hand, providing an antioxidant supplement (astaxanthin, a polar carotenoid) to humans was found to decrease RBC Aβ as well as oxidative stress marker levels. These results suggest that plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 bind to RBCs (possibly with aging), implying a pathogenic role of RBC Aβ. Moreover, the data indicate that RBC Aβ40 and Aβ42 may constitute biomarkers of AD. As a preventive strategy, therapeutic application of astaxanthin as an Aβ-lowering agent in RBCs could be considered as a possible anti-dementia agent. Trial Registration: Controlled-Trials.com ISRCTN42483402 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on study related to the effect of tocotrienol in tissue distribution in Rats. It informs about the study that involved providing doses of vitamin diets, tocotrienol in rats in invitro conditions. It includes information on the result of the study that presented the safe quantity of drug content of tocotrienol to be 0.02 percent to avoid any side effects by vitamin E.

Abstract: In this study, we compared the cytotoxic effects of natural conjugated linolenic acids (CLnAs) on human adenocarcinoma cells (DLD-1) in vitro, with the goal of finding CLnA isomers with strong cytotoxic effects. The antitumor effect of the CLnA with the strongest cytotoxic effect was then examined in mice. The results showed that all CLnA isomers have strong cytotoxic effects on DLD-1 cells, with jacaric acid (JA) having the strongest effect. Examination of the mechanism of cell death showed that CLnAs induce apoptosis in DLD-1 cells via lipid peroxidation. The intracellular levels of incorporated CLnAs were measured to examine the reason for differences in cytotoxic effects. These results showed that JA was taken into cells efficiently. Collectively, these results suggest that the cytotoxic effect of CLnAs is dependent on intracellular incorporation and induction of apoptosis via lipid peroxidation. JA also had a strong preventive antitumor effect in vivo in nude mice into which DLD-1 cells were transplanted. These results suggest that JA can be used as a dietary constituent for prevention of cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Red blood cells (RBC) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are known to be in an excessively oxidized state (i.e., with a high accumulation of peroxidized phospholipids (PLOOH)). Previously we confirmed in vitro, in vivo murine, and in human studies that carotenoids can effectively inhibit accumulation of RBC PLOOH. Thus, the relationship between RBC carotenoids and PLOOH concentrations in AD patients is of interest. In this study, RBC carotenoids and PLOOH were evaluated in 28 normal control subjects (age: 74.1 ± 1.3 years) and 28 patients with AD (age: 72.5 ± 1.4 years). The concentrations of RBC carotenoids, especially lutein, in AD patients were significantly lower than in control subjects. An inverse relationship was seen between RBC carotenoids, especially lutein, and PLOOH concentrations in AD patients. These results suggest that RBC lutein, in particular, may contribute to suppression of PLOOH accumulation in RBC of AD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the monocytic adhesion caused by replicative senescence of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). It mentions that the significant increase in adhesion molecules promoting monocytic adhesion is caused by aging. It notes that the increase in monocytic adhesion can promote the development of atherosclerosis.

The article presents a study on the ratio of co-administration of caffeine (CAF) and catechin found in commercially processed tea drinks. It evaluates the possible influence of CAF on tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) metabolism and absorption in humans. The result shows that the several drinks have different CAF/catechins ratios that may affect the bioavailability of the tea catechin.

The effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on host resistance to Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection was investigated. Mice fed palm oil supplemented with DHA showed reduced antifungal activity in the spleen and liver, as compared with mice fed palm oil or soybean oil without supplementation with DHA. Mice fed DHA-supplemented soybean oil also showed reduced antifungal activity in the liver, but the extent of reduction was less profound. This reduction in antifungal activity was not observed with EPA-supplemented palm or EPA-supplemented soybean oil. These results suggest that two factors, DHA and palm oil in combination, are involved in reducing the host resistance. DHA-enriched palm oil was also responsible for an increase in DHA concentration and a marked decrease in arachidonic acid content in the spleen and liver. However, this group did not show elevated spleen and liver phospholipid hydroperoxide levels compared with the other groups, excluding the possibility that the reduction in antifungal activity observed with DHA-enriched palm oil is due to acceleration of in vivo lipid peroxidation. Greater infection-induced increases in spleen and serum interferon-γ concentrations were observed in mice fed DHA-enriched palm oil compared with the other groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated whether the difference in miso consumption between the Japanese diets of 1975 and 2010 has influenced the observed increase in diet-induced obesity. To recreate the 2010 and 1975 Japanese high-fat diets with the corresponding proportions of miso, freeze-dried miso was added to high-fat mouse feed at 1.6% and 2.6%, respectively. When 5-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were provided each of these diets ad libitum for 8 weeks, it was found that the white adipose tissue weight and adipocyte area were lower in mice receiving the 1975 diet than in those receiving the 2010 diet. Therefore, high miso consumption is one reason why the 1975 Japanese diet tended to not lead to obesity. Next, the combined effects of treadmill exercise and miso consumption were investigated. The mice were divided into three groups, which were provided either a high-fat diet (group C), a high-fat diet with exercise (group C + E), or a miso-supplemented high-fat diet with exercise (group M + E) for 8 weeks. In this experiment, the white adipose tissue weight and adipocyte area in group M + E were lower than in group C. When the mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-associated genes in adipose tissue was measured, we found that expression of Hsl (lipase, hormone sensitive), which is involved in lipolysis, and Pparγ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma), which regulates adipocyte differentiation upstream of Hsl, was increased in group M + E. These results clearly demonstrated that lipid accumulation in the adipose tissues is suppressed by miso consumption in combination with exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determined whether the anti-obesity effect provided by the consumption of Euglena gracilis (Euglena), which is rich in insoluble dietary fiber, could be enhanced by the co-consumption of vegetables with an abundance of soluble dietary fiber. Nine-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into five groups as follows: group 1 received a normal diet, group 2 received a high-fat diet, and groups 3, 4, and 5 received high fat diets containing 0.3% paramylon, 1.0% Euglena, or 1.0% Euglena plus 0.3% vegetables (barley leaf, kale, and ashitaba), respectively. Mice were fed ad libitum until 18 weeks of age. Euglena intake significantly reduced visceral fat accumulation in obese mice, and co-consumption of vegetables enhanced this effect. Consumption of Euglena with vegetables reduced adipocyte area, suppressed the expression of genes related to fatty acid synthesis, upregulated genes related to adipocyte lipolysis, and suppressed serum markers of inflammation. Notably, we also observed an increase in the fraction of short-chain fatty acid-producing beneficial bacteria, a reduction in harmful bacteria that cause inflammation, and an increase in short-chain fatty acid production. Therefore, the co-consumption of vegetables enhanced the anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of Euglena, likely by modulating the gut microbiota composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]