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Background Body weight gain is a social issue all over the world. When body weight increased, hepatic fat accumulation also increased and it causes fatty liver disease. Therefore, developing a new treatment method and elucidating its mechanism is necessary. L‐citrulline (L‐Cit) is a free amino acid found mainly in watermelon. No reports regarding its effects on the improvement of hepatic steatosis and fibrogenesis are currently available. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect and the mechanism of L‐Cit on inhibition of body weight gain and hepatic fat accumulation in high‐fat and high‐cholesterol fed SHRSP5/Dmcr rats. Methods L‐Cit or water (controls) was administered to six‐week‐old male SHRSP5/Dmcr rats by gavage for nine weeks. We recorded the level of body weight and food intake while performing the administration and sacrificed rats. After that, the blood and lipid metabolism‐related organs and tissues were collected and analyzed. Results L‐Cit treatment reduced body weight gain and hepatic TC and TG levels, and serum levels of AST and ALT. L‐Cit enhanced AMPK, LKB1, PKA, and hormone‐sensitive lipase (HSL) protein phosphorylation levels in the epididymal fat. L‐Cit treatment improved steatosis as revealed by HE staining of liver tissues and enhanced AMPK and LKB1 phosphorylation levels. Moreover, activation of Sirt1 was higher, while the liver fatty acid synthase (FAS) level was lower. Azan staining of liver sections revealed a reduction in fibrogenesis following L‐Cit treatment. Further, the liver levels of TGF‐β, Smad2/3, and α‐SMA, fibrogenesis‐related proteins and genes, were lower in the L‐Cit‐treated group. Conclusions From the results of analysis of the epididymal fat and the liver, L‐Cit inhibits body weight gain and hepatic fat accumulation by activating lipid metabolism and promoting fatty acid β‐oxidation in SHRSP5/Dmcr rats., L‐citrulline is a free amino acid found mainly in watermelon. Our study suggested that L‐citrulline inhibited body weight gain and improved hepatic steatosis via lipid metabolism pathway in high‐fat and high‐cholesterol fed SHRSP5/Dmcr rats. L‐citrulline may be used as a functional food of improving of body weight gain and fatty liver disease in the future.

Recent studies have demonstrated that genes related to bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) on various chromosomes are expressed in extra-oral organs of various animals. The bitter taste receptor TAS2R14 is conserved among primate species and shows broad ligand sensitivity. Mice have a number of orthologues to primate TAS2R14 located in tandem on chromosome 16; however, their expression patterns are not unique. We characterized the expression of TAS2R14 in various cell types in the intestines of the rhesus macaque and evaluated its role in hormone production in the gut. TAS2R14 expression was examined in the intestines of rhesus macaques, a common non-human primate model, by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical staining. Mean expression levels of TAS2R14 in the duodenum, ileum, and colon were similar to each other and were lower than those in circumvallate papillae. An immunohistochemical analysis revealed TAS2R14 immunoreactivity in enteroendocrine cells positive for cholecystokinin, serotonin, and the G protein GNAT3. These results suggest that primate TAS2R14 is broadly expressed in the intestine, mainly in enteroendocrine cells, and promotes gut hormone secretion in response to bitter stimuli.

Increased body fat mass can lead to lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increases the onset of multiple diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, which are closely related to lipid metabolism; therefore, new prevention approaches and treatments are needed. Our study investigated the effects and mechanism of YNCRG on anti-obesity in metabolic syndrome model SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHRCP) rats. Eight-week-old male SHRCP rats were administered YNCRG or water by gavage for eight weeks and sacrificed. The tissues were immediately dissected for future experiments. We also used WKY rats as a rodent model. YNCRG induced reductions in food intake, body weight, and body fat mass in SHRCP rats. We also analyzed the mechanism of food intake regulation in the hypothalamus. Expression of POMC was significantly increased in the YNCRG group. However, JAK2 showed no change between the two groups. Phosphorylation levels of Akt (Ser473) and FoxO1 were significantly increased in the YNCRG group. Moreover, mTOR was significantly phosphorylated by YNCRG treatment. These results suggest that YNCRG can induce appetite suppression through the mTOR-Akt-FoxO1-POMC signaling pathway. YNCRG also induced a reduction in body fat mass. In adipose tissue, phosphorylation of AMPK was significantly increased in the YNCRG group. Also, LKB1 and PKA (upstream factors of AMPK), and ACC and HSL (downstream factors of AMPK) were significantly phosphorylated with the YNCRG treatment. Our results indicate that YNCRG can treat MetS by decreasing body fat mass of SHRCP rats through appetite suppression and improvement of lipid metabolism.

Excess body weight and hyperlipidaemia cause severe health problems and have social implications. Amycenone is an active substance extracted from Yamabushitake mushrooms with no reports of its activity against excess body weight and hyperlipidaemia. This research clarifies the effects and mechanisms of action of amycenone on the inhibition of body weight excess and hyperlipidaemia attenuation using KK-Aymice. Amycenone or water was administered to 8-week-old male KK-Aymice by gavage for 8 weeks. Their body weight and food intake were recorded during the experiment. At the end of the experimental period, the mice were dissected, and blood samples, lipid metabolism-related organs and tissues were collected and stored for further analysis. Amycenone treatment suppressed body weight gain and improved serum levels of fasting blood glucose and non-esterified fatty acids. Additionally, serum and hepatic cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were reduced after this treatment, whereas the phosphorylation levels of AMPK, PKA and HSL increased and the expression level of FAS decreased. The protein level of C/EBPβ and gene expression level ofCpt1were higher in the perirenal adipose tissue of amycenone-treated KK-Aymice. Furthermore, amycenone phosphorylated AMPK, PKA and ACC, and PPARγ expression was lower in the mesenteric adipose tissue. The phosphorylation levels of AMPK, LKB1, PKA and ACC were also induced, and FAS expression level was reduced in the liver of the amycenone-treated group. Amycenone could reduce excess body weight and attenuate hyperlipidaemia in KK-Aymice by inhibiting lipogenesis and promoting lipolysis through lipid metabolism pathway stimulation and fatty acid β-oxidation acceleration.

Mitochondria uncoupling protein2 (UCP2) expressed ubiquitously is a key molecule of energy metabolism. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a hormone, a target molecule of growth hormone (GH) signal pathway, which is also known as the drug "mecasermin" for clinical usages. IGF-1 is seemed to be closely related to metabolic diseases, such as adult GH deficiency. However, there has not been reports depicted possible relationship with each other. So, we sought to elucidate the mechanisms by which expression of UCP2 is regulated by IGF-1 via FOXO1. The findings suggested that three sequences in the consensus UCP2 promoter play complementary functional roles in the functional expression of FOXO1. So, we found that FOXO1 is involved in IGF-1-mediated energy metabolism greater than that of direct action of GH via STAT5. Our findings suggested that IGF-1 was involved in energy metabolism by regulating the expression of UCP2 via the PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 pathway.

AIM An investigator-initiated clinical study was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic potency of SR-0379 for the treatment of leg ulcers in patients with Werner syndrome. METHODS A multicenter, open-label study was carried out from September 2017 to February 2018. The inclusion criteria for leg ulcers were: (i) leg ulcers in patients with Werner syndrome, diabetes or critical limb ischemia/venous stasis; and (ii) a wound size of >1 cm and

Objective The objective of our study was to examine the direct action of insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) signaling on energy homeostasis in myocytes. Design We studied the IGF-1 stimulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) expression in the HEK 293 derived cell line TSA201, murine C2C12 skeletal muscle myoblasts, and rat L6 skeletal myoblasts. We also investigated the direct effect of IGF-1 on the Insulin/IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R)/phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)-Akt/forkhead box O4 (FOXO4) pathway using a combination of a reporter assay, semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and animal experiments. Results We demonstrated that IGF-1 regulates UCP3 expression via phosphorylation of FOXO4, which is a downstream signal transducer of IGF-1. UCP3 expression increased with activated FOXO4 in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the functional FOXO4 binding site consensus sequences and identified it as the −1922 bp site in the UCP3 promoter region. UCP3 was also found to be concomitantly expressed with IGF-1 during differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Our animal experiments showed that high fat diet induced IGF-1 levels which likely influenced UCP3 expression in the skeletal muscle. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that that IGF-1 directly stimulates UCP3 expression via the IGF-1/IGF-1R/PI3-Akt/FOXO4 pathway.

A 57-year-old man had a 2-year history of a painful nodule on the right sole. Physical examination revealed an 8 × 8 mm hyperkeratotic plaque with a central fissure. Excisional biopsy disclosed epithelial invagination surrounded by the acanthotic epidermis with parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and focal hypergranulosis. The invaginated epithelium lacked a cornified layer and was composed of a mixture of small basaloid squamous cells and goblet cells showing tubular structures. The patient was diagnosed with mucinous syringometaplasia. Our literature review established that surrounding acanthosis with hyperkeratosis typically tends to conceal mucinous syringometaplastic changes. Because mucinous syringometaplasia often presents as an asymptomatic papule/nodule with no distinct ulcer, fissure, or depressed area, cases may be overlooked.

Centella asiatica (also known as Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. or Gotu kola) is a traditional Chinese medicine with extensive medicinal value, which is commonly used in Southeast Asian countries. This study aimed to summarize the effects of C. asiatica and its main components on neurological diseases, endocrine diseases, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, immune diseases, and gynecological diseases, as well as potential molecular mechanisms, to study the pathological mechanism of these diseases based on the changes at the molecular level. The results showed that C. asiatica and its triterpenoids had extensive beneficial effects on neurological and skin diseases, which were confirmed through clinical studies. They exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, anti-apoptotic effects, and improvement in mitochondrial function. However, further clinical studies are urgently required due to the low level of evidence and lack of patients.

(1) Background: Recent studies have investigated the expression of taste-related genes in the organs of various animals, including humans, however, data for additional taxa are needed to facilitate comparative analyses within and among species. (2) Methods: We investigated the expression of taste-related genes in the intestines of rhesus macaques, the non-human primates most commonly used in experimental models. (3) Results: Based on RNAseq and qRT-PCR, genes encoding bitter taste receptors and the G-protein gustducin were expressed in the gut of rhesus macaques. RNAscope analysis showed that one of the bitter receptors, TAS2R38, was expressed in some cells in the small intestine, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the presence of T2R38-positive cells in the villi of the intestines. (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that bitter receptors are expressed in the gut of rhesus macaques, supporting the use of macaques as a model for studies of human taste, including gut analyses.

Objective We evaluated the direct action of GH signaling in energy homeostasis in myocytes. Design We investigated the GH-induced expression of UCP3 in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, human H-EMC-SS chondrosarcoma cells, murine C2C12 skeletal muscle myoblasts, and rat L6 skeletal muscle cells, as well as its direct effect on the GHR/JAK/STAT5 pathway using a combination of a reporter assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. Results We demonstrated that the regulation of energy metabolism by GH involves UCP3 via activated STAT5, a signal transducer downstream of GH. UCP3 expression increased with STAT5 in a dose-dependent manner and was higher than that of UCP2. We confirmed the functional STAT5 binding site consensus sequences at −861 and −507 bp in the UCP3 promoter region. Conclusion The results suggest that GH stimulates UCP3 directly and that UCP2 and that UCP3 participate in the signal transduction pathway that functions downstream of the GHR/JAK/STAT.

Cigarette smoke contains over 4800 compounds, including at least 200 toxicants or endocrine disruptors. Currently, effects of cigarette smoke on thyroid hormone (TH) levels remains to be clarified. Here, we demonstrate that cigarette smoke extract (CSE) possesses thyroid hormone properties and acts synergistically as a partial agonist for thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) in the presence of TH. In transient gene expression experiments, CSE stimulated transcriptional activity with TH in a dose-dependent manner. Stimulatory effects were observed with physiological TH concentrations, although CSE did not activate TRs without TH. CSE (5%) dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with 1 nM TH was approximately comparable to 3.2±0.1 and 2.3±0.2 nM of TRα1 and TRβ1, respectively. To illustrate probable mechanisms of the CSE agonistic activity, effects on TR mediated transcriptional functions with cofactors were investigated. With a mammalian two-hybrid assay, CSE recruited the nuclear coactivators glucocorticoid receptor interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) and steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC1) to the TR. Unsaturated carbonyl compounds, acrolein, crotonaldehyde, and methyl vinyl ketone, representative constituents of CSE, retained such agonistic properties and possibly contributed to stimulatory effects. The results suggest that CSE recruits a transcriptional activator and may reinforce TH binding to the TR additively, resulting in gene expression. CSE partially agonizes TH action and may disturb the function of various nuclear hormone receptor types and their cofactors to disrupt the physiological processes.

Objective The transition of white adipocytes to beige cells (a phenomenon referred to as browning or beigeing) during obesity has been previously reported. Our study aimed to examine the mechanisms through which obesity induced by a high fat diet (HFD) affects uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression via signal transduction and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5s). Design Seven-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal or HFD for 11 weeks. Body weight, white adipose tissue weight, and blood lipid and glucose levels were measured. To unveil the molecular mechanisms of UCP1 expression in adipose tissue, we performed further studying 3T3-L1 cells using qRT-PCR. We also measured UCP1 promoter activity in the TSA201 cell line using a dual luciferase assay. In addition, we analyzed the predicted consensus sequences for STAT5 binding in the UCP1 promoter region. Results Mice fed an HFD had higher body weight and intra-abdominal adipose tissues weight and a higher expression of UCP1, GH receptor (GHR), STATs, suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCSs), and cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH) compared to control mice. In 3T3-L1 cell studies, GH induced phosphorylation of the STAT5, SOCSs, CISH and UCP1 expressions. UCP1 promoter activity was associated with constitutively active STAT5 in a dose-dependent manner. We confirmed functional STAT5 binding sites at − 425, − 279, and − 178 bp of the UCP1 promoter. Conclusion We suggest that endogenous GH induces UCP1 expression in adipose tissue via STAT5.

Aim In patients with diabetes or ischemia, angiogenesis and infection control are required for chronic leg ulcers, which substantially impair patients’ quality of life. We developed a novel functional peptide, named AG30/5C, with angiogenic and anti-microbial properties. Treatment with AG30/5C significantly accelerated the wound healing of full-thickness defects in mice. To evaluate the safety of AG30/5C in the treatment of leg ulcers, a physician-initiated clinical study was carried out. Methods The first-in-human trial was designed as an open-label treatment with AG30/5C (0.1 mg/mL) given twice per day for 11 days, and with a follow-up period of 17 days. The inclusion criteria for severe skin ulcers were: (i) diabetes or critical limb ischemia; (ii) resistance to standard therapy for 1 month; and (iii) detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the skin ulcer. Results Four patients were enrolled in this study, and two patients met these criteria. For the evaluation of safety, three adverse effects were reported as possibly related to AG30/5C treatment; however, these adverse effects were not severe and resolved during or after treatment. Thus, there were no safety concerns. In both patients, the size of the ulcer decreased after treatment (44.62% and 10.23% decrease), and further decreased after the follow-up period (73.85% and 10.23% decrease). The former patient was diagnosed as Werner syndrome and the skin ulcer was resistant to standard therapy; however, it was sensitive to AG30/5C treatment. Conclusions Topical treatment with AG30/5C for severe leg ulcers was safe, well tolerated and effective. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; ••: ••–••.

Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) contains many toxicants and may derange the physiological processes, such as cholesterol metabolism. We examined the impact of CSE on transcriptional regulation mediated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and its interaction with cofactors to elucidate differences in the molecular mechanism between CSE and other agonists of PPARs. We constructed several mutant PPARs (mPPARs) with amino acid substitution in the ligand-binding domain, which according to the molecular modeling, may affect the binding of agonists. In transient expression assays, each wild-type peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) mediated transcription stimulated by CSE was faintly yet significantly elevated compared to the control. The CSE-induced transcriptional activation was abolished in the H323A, H323Y, S342A, and H449A mPPARγs, although the activation elevated by pioglitazone was reserved. In the mPPARγ with Y473A and mPPARβ/δs with H286Y and Y436A, the pioglitazone-induced or L165041-activated transcriptional elevations were decreased and were lower than that of CSE-induced stimulation. These results suggested that CSE activated both mutant PPARs to be selectively different from those ligands. Mammalian two-hybrid assay illustrated that CSE could mildly recruit SRC1 or GRIP1 to the wild-type PPARγ. Representative ingredients, such as acrolein and crotonaldehyde present in CSE, could stimulate PPAR isoforms even at the toxicological concentrations and might possibly contribute to stimulatory effects. CSE mildly regulates the cholesterol metabolism-related genes, such as low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and Liver X receptor (LXR)β. In conclusion, these CSE effects the nuclear hormone receptors and their cofactors thereby disturbing metabolic phenomena. Therefore, CSE might be involved in cholesterol metabolism.

本研究の目的は、看護におけるコミュニケーションと社会システムの基礎づけを求めるところにある。本稿の議論の中心は、われわれのコミュニケーションが安定した事態にはないということにある。看護におけるコミュニケーションでも、事態は同様である。コミュニケーションにおいて、われわれは、自己と他者の間に理解を創出しなければならない。そして、当然のことながら自己と他者の関係の問題は、看護師と患者との間の関係とも無関係ではない。コミュニケーションにおいて、理解は譲渡されるものではない。理解の共有は、お互いに理解を創出することを意味する。一方的なコミュニケーションは、看護活動にとって問題となる。一方、看護システムは、ひとつの社会システムでもある。社会システムは期待構造を形成する。看護システムにおける期待構造は、看護行為に対して安定性をもたらすことになる。しかし、看護の環境が変化するとき、看護システムは、自分自身を変更しなければならないことになる。これらの問題に対峙するとき、われわれは社会学的な視点で看護を分析しなければならないのである。, The purpose of this research is to show a foundation of communication and social system in nursing. The most important part of this research is that our communication is in contingency. In nursing communication, this situation is the same. In our communication, we must create an understanding between ego and alter ego. This issue of relation between ego and alter ego is not irrelevant to the relation between nurse and patient. In our communication, understanding is not intended to be handed. Shared understanding means to create understanding each other. Unilateral communication is a problem in nursing. On the other hand, nursing system is a social system. Social system forms a structure of expectation. In nursing system, structure of expectation leads stability for nursing. When nursing environment changed, nursing system has to change itself. When dealing with this Problem, we must analyses the nursing by the sociological perspective.

SR-0379 is a functional peptide that has wound healing effect with anti-microbial action, making it an ideal drug to prevent infection. To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of SR-0379 for the treatment of leg ulcers, a physician-initiated, phase I/IIa, first-in-patient clinical study was designed. A multi-center, double-blind, randomized clinical study was conducted from October 2015 to September 2016. The inclusion criteria for leg ulcers were (1) diabetes or critical limb ischemia and (2) wound size, Dermatology: peptide drug development for skin ulcers Chronic leg ulcers result in substantial impairment of patient quality of life with a socioeconomic impact both in terms of medical care and missed work days. A teams led by Hironori Nakagami at Osaka University originally identified a functional peptide, SR-0379, and evaluated the safety and efficacy of SR-0379 for the treatment of leg ulcers in a physician-initiated, first-in-patient, a multi-center, double-blind, randomized clinical study. In the evaluation of efficiency, the skin ulcer reduction rates were improved for the SR-0379 treated groups in a dose-dependent manner, compared for the placebo group with no causal adverse events. Since treatment with SR-0379 for chronic leg ulcers was safe, well tolerated, and effective in this initial clinical trial, the clinical trial on next stage will be designed toward peptide drug development.

An elderly male noticed urticarial patches corresponding to cutaneous B cell lymphoma lesions after rituximab treatment. Along with the resolution of urticaria, the lymphoma lesions completely remitted without recurrence. In this communication, we present an interesting case and the pathophysiological findings of a wheal attack in a case with tumor remission following systemic treatment with rituximab, a monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody.

Background Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is now a routine procedure for the management of cancer patients. Intravenous administration of FDG is sometimes halted due to troubles. In such cases, estimations of the FDG dosage injected prior to halting administration may be helpful. We have established a method of estimating the activity of FDG to patients on the basis of the dose equivalent rate on the surface of the right temporal region of the head. The correlation of actual administered dosage with independent variables, such as the dose equivalent rate on the right temporal region of the head, age, sex, and body weight, was analyzed using multiple regression analysis to obtain linear, quadratic, and cubic regression equations. Results When entering independent variables, the cubic regression equation could be used to estimate an administered dosage with an accuracy of ±10 % for 62 % of all patients and ±20 % for 90 % of all patients. Conclusions We conclude that this method is useful for estimating the administered dosage from the dose equivalent rate on the temporal region of the head.

Adalimumab, a fully human anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody, was retrospectively evaluated for its effect on musculoskeletal manifestations and health-related quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) during daily clinical practice.Patients who initiated adalimumab therapy after March 2010 were followed for at least 24 weeks with the clinical outcome measures. Eleven patients, all men with a mean age of 45.4 years, had mean psoriasis durations of 16.2 and 8.4 years at baseline.After 24 weeks, 72.7, 63.6, and 45.5 % of the patients met the ACR 20, 50, and 70 response criteria, respectively, while 81.8 % achieved the PsA response criteria. Disease Activity Score using the 28-joint count and CRP declined from 3.2 ± 1.2 at baseline to 1.3 ± 0.4 at week 24 (P0.01). The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index scores also decreased significantly (both P values were0.01). After 24 weeks, three out of eight dimensions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and Physical Component Summary were significantly improved (all P values were0.05).Adalimumab exerted its effect as early as week 4, and it was sustained until the end of the 24-week observation period in the PsA patients.

In patients with diabetes or ischemia, angiogenesis and infection control are required for chronic leg ulcers, which substantially impair patients' quality of life. We developed a novel functional peptide, named AG30/5C, with angiogenic and anti-microbial properties. Treatment with AG30/5C significantly accelerated the wound healing of full-thickness defects in mice. To evaluate the safety of AG30/5C in the treatment of leg ulcers, a physician-initiated clinical study was carried out.The first-in-human trial was designed as an open-label treatment with AG30/5C (0.1 mg/mL) given twice per day for 11 days, and with a follow-up period of 17 days. The inclusion criteria for severe skin ulcers were: (i) diabetes or critical limb ischemia; (ii) resistance to standard therapy for 1 month; and (iii) detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the skin ulcer.Four patients were enrolled in this study, and two patients met these criteria. For the evaluation of safety, three adverse effects were reported as possibly related to AG30/5C treatment; however, these adverse effects were not severe and resolved during or after treatment. Thus, there were no safety concerns. In both patients, the size of the ulcer decreased after treatment (44.62% and 10.23% decrease), and further decreased after the follow-up period (73.85% and 10.23% decrease). The former patient was diagnosed as Werner syndrome and the skin ulcer was resistant to standard therapy; however, it was sensitive to AG30/5C treatment.Topical treatment with AG30/5C for severe leg ulcers was safe, well tolerated and effective. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 2150-2156.

Background The impact of vitamin D3 (VD3) on obesity has been reported in the past. Our study was aimed at investigating the possible mechanisms by which VD3 affects obesity induced by a high fat diet. Methods Eight-week-old C57BL/6 J male mice were fed a normal- or high-fat diet for 9 weeks and were treated with a gavage of vehicle (corn oil) or cholecalciferol (50 μg/kg, daily). Body weight, white adipose tissue weight, blood lipid and glucose levels were measured. In addition, we investigated the expression of 1,25(OH)2D3 (calcitriol)/VDR-regulated genes involved in energy and lipid metabolism, such as of uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3), by using qRT-PCR in the liver, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and C2C12, L6, and H-EMC-SS cells. We also measured UCP3 promoter transcription in the same cell lines using a Dual Luciferase Assay. Furthermore, we analyzed the binding site consensus sequences of VDR on the UCP3 promoter. Results Mice consuming a high-fat diet treated with cholecalciferol had lower body weight and adipose tissue weight and higher expression of UCP3 compared to the other treatment groups. Changes in the expression of genes correlated with calcitriol/VDR. Luciferase activity was dose-dependently associated with calcitriol/VDR levels. We confirmed the functional VDR binding site consensus sequences at -2200, -1561, -634, and +314 bp in the UCP3 promoter region. Conclusion We suggest that VD3/VDR inhibits weight gain by activating UCP3 in the muscles. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-016-0271-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Twenty available samples belonging to 7 genera of peas and beans, some of which synthesize and accumulate starch, while others produce a large amount of fatty acids and proteins, were used for the analysis of soluble sugars and free amino acids, in order to distinguish the characteristics of the various peas and beans. The soluble sugars, including Glucose,Fructose,Sucrose,Raffmose,Stachyose,Verbascose were detected. Sucrose,Stachyose,Verbascose were verified to be the major components. The contents of the soluble sugars and the composition of the major-component sugars varied depending on the type of peas and beans. In Phaseolus vulgaris (Common bean) and Vigna angularis (Azuki bean), the composition of Stachyose was high, in Glycine max (Soy bean), Sucrose was high. In Pisum sativum (Pea) and Vicia fava (Broad bean), the composition of Verbascose was high. The compositions of the three types of sugars and the ratios to the overall contents seemed to be the characteristics of the peas and beans. Phaseolus sp. (Kidney bean, Lima bean), Vicia faba and Cicer arietinum etc. generally contained a high content of total free amino acids, with the highest of 1000 mg% for Kintoki mame. Compared to this, Vigna sp. (Azuki bean, Green gram, Rice bean, Cowpea) contained the lowest content, with about one third the value of the Green peas. Five types of amino acids found in high contents for each type of pea or bean include Asp, AspNfh, Glu, Pro, Arg. Glu was found in 7 samples examined. Vicia faba has high Arg, Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus lunatus have high Glu, Glycine max has high Pro, showing that the content of amino acids differed in different peas and beans. For the total content of the 'taste-related' amino acids (Asp,Glu), Phaseolus vulgaris (Kintoki mame) showed the highest value, while Glycine max showed the lowest. As compared to the high contents of Glu and Cys of Phaseolus vulgaris, Glycine max showed a low content of Glu, but a high content of Pro. The amino acids composition of Phaseolus vulgaris and Glycine max differed largely from the other peas and beans. The total free amino acids contents and Pro of Glycine max and Cicer arietinum were high, and the sum of Pro and Arg of these two genera amounted to about 70% of the total free amino acids, exhibiting its characteristics from the other peas and beans. Regarding the health-functional content of GAB A, Turunoko and Tanbakuromame of Glycine max showed a high content. Similar to the classification depending on the external botanical structures and colors, the contents of the peas and beans, especially with the composition of the soluble sugars and amino acids, there are very distinct similarities and differences between difference species. Especially with Glycine max and Phaseolus vulgaris the difference was distinct. It has been confirmed that Sucrose and the amino acids related to umami could be used as ah 'indicator' to differentiate different species.

生食用ソラマメのファーベと陵西一寸ソラマメの成熟過程における成分分析ならびに数種のソラマメ種子の分析を行い比較検討した。ファーベと陵西一寸の可溶性糖含量はともに小粒が高く成熟するにつれて低下したが,小粒段階での糖質は主にスクロースでありほかには少量のグルコースとフルクトースが含まれている。成熟に伴い陵西一寸ではスタキオース,ベルパスコースが急増したが,スクロース含量は低下し,デンプン含量は増加した。ファーベでは成熟過程でもベルバスコースは検出されず,スクロース含量の低下も緩やかで,デンプン含量は陵西一寸と比べて明らかに低かった。遊離アミノ酸含量はファーベと陵西一寸はともに成熟に伴い減少するがファーベでは陵西一寸ほどの急減は見られず徐々に減少した。ファーベ,陵西一寸両方とも,どの成育段階でも最多のアミノ酸はアルギニンであり,その他の主なアミノ酸はアスパラギン酸,アスパラギン,グルタミン酸,アラニン,GABAであった。成熟により急減したアミノ酸は陵西一寸ではアルギニン,アスパラギン,アラニン,GABAであったが,ファーベではアルギニンとGABA以外は徐々に低下した。ファーベと陵西一寸のGABA含量は小粒程高く,ファーベでは(固形分中)1000mg%にも達した。ソラマメ種子の可溶性糖は主にベルパスコースとスクロースを含むが,大部分の種子はベルバスコース含量の方が高い。ソラマメ種子の最多遊離アミノ酸は未熟ソラマメと同様アルギニンが主である。いずれの種子もGABA含量は激減している。ファーベは糖質組成分ヤアミノ酸の分析データなどから陵西一寸とは異なる性状のソラマメであり,生食に適していることを確認した。, This study was performed to analyze the various components of seeds of immature fave and ryousai-issun (broad beans) at various stages of maturation, and analysis was also performed on several types of seeds for comparison purposes. The water-soluble sugar contents of fave and ryousai-issun were rather high, but decreased during maturation. The major components were sucrose. For ryousai-issun, with maturation, the contents of stachyose, verbascose increased rapidly, at the same time the content of sucrose decreased and the starch content increased. For fave, during the maturation process, verbascose was also not detected, the decrease of the sucrose content was rather gradual, and the starch content was less than that of the ryousai-issun. For both fave and ryousai-issun, free amino acids decreased with maturation, but unlike the rapid decrease for ryousai-issun, the decrease for fave was more gradual. For both fave and ryousai-issun, for all stages of maturation, the major content of amino acid was arginine while the other major amino acids included aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, alanine and GABA. For ryousai-issun, with maturation, the following amino acids decreased rapidly: arginine, asparagine, alanine and GABA. For fave, amino acids except arginine and GABA decreased gradually. For both fave and ryousai-issun, the content of GABA was higher with smaller beans, and for fave 1000mg% was detected (solid content). For ryousai-issun mature seeds, water-soluble sugar included verbascose and sucrose, but for most of the seeds, the content of verbascose was higher. For ryousai-issun seeds, just like the immature seeds, the main component of free amino acid was arginine. GABA content decreased rapidly. From the analytical data on the sugar and amino acids contents, fave proved to be different from ryousai-issun, and it was confirmed that raw fave was considered to be suitable for consumption.