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Blueberries or bilberries contain large amounts of anthocyanins, making them one of the richest sources of dietary anthocyanin. These berries are widely consumed as fresh and dried fruits, jams, or juices. Considerable attention has been focused on the health benefits of bilberry fruits beyond their antioxidant content or their ability to improve vision. In this study, we tested the effect of dietary bilberry extract (BBE) on hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic mice. We found that dietary BBE ameliorates hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Dietary BBE significantly reduced the blood glucose concentration and enhanced insulin sensitivity. AMPK was activated in white adipose tissue (WAIL skeletal muscle, and the liver of diabetic mice fed BBE. This activation was accompanied by upregulation of glucose transporter 4 in WAT and skeletal muscle and suppression of glucose production and lipid content in the liver. At the same time, acetyl-CoA carboxylase was inactivated and PPARα, acyl-CoA oxidase, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A were upregulated in the liver. These changes resulted in improved hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. These findings provide a biochemical basis for the use of bilberry fruits and have important implications for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes via activation of AMPK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adipocyte dysfunction is strongly associated with the development of obesity and insulin resistance. It is accepted that the regulation of adipocytokine secretion or the adipocyte specific gene expression is one of the most important targets for the prevention of obesity and amelioration of insulin sensitivity. Recently, we demonstrated that anthocyanins, which are pigments widespread in the plant kingdom, have the potency of anti-obesity in mice and the enhancement adipocytokine secretion and its gene expression in adipocytes. In this study, we have shown the gene expression profile in human adipocytes treated with anthocyanins (cyanidin 3-glucoside; C3G or cyanidin; Cy). The human adipocytes were treated with 100μM C3G, Cy or vehicle for 24h. The total RNA from the adipocytes was isolated and carried out GeneChip microarray analysis. Based on the gene expression profile, we demonstrated the significant changes of adipocytokine expression (up-regulation of adiponectin and down-regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and interleukin-6). Some of lipid metabolism related genes (uncoupling protein2, acylCoA oxidase1 and perilipin) also significantly induced in both common the C3G or Cy treatment groups. These studies have provided an overview of the gene expression profiles in human adipocytes treated with anthocyanins and demonstrated that anthocyanins can regulate adipocytokine gene expression to ameliorate adipocyte function related with obesity and diabetes that merit further investigation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Anthocyanins, which are used as a food coloring, are widely distributed in human diets, suggesting that we ingest large amounts of anthocyanins from plant-based foods. Mice were fed control, cyanidin 3-glucoside-rich purple corn color (PCC), high fat (HF) or HF + PCC diet for 12 wk. Dietary PCC significantly suppressed the HF diet-induced increase in body weight gain, and white and brown adipose tissue weights. Feeding the HF diet markedly induced hypertrophy of the adipocytes in the epididymal white adipose tissue compared with the control group. In contrast, the induction did not occur in the HF + PCC group. The HF diet induced hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia. These perturbations were completely normalized in rats fed HF + PCC. An increase in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA level occurred in the HF group and was normalized by dietary PCC. These results suggest that dietary PCC may ameliorate HF diet-induced insulin resistance in mice. PCC suppressed the mRNA levels of enzymes involved in fatty acid and triacylglycerol synthesis and lowered the sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 mRNA level in white adipose tissue. These down-regulations may contribute to triacylglycerol accumulation in white adipose tissue. Our findings provide a biochemical and nutritional basis for the use of PCC or anthocyanins as a functional food factor that may have benefits for the prevention of obesity and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the preventive effect of anthocyanin-rich food color on the development of obesity and hyperglycemia induced by feeding a high fat diet. Biochemical and nutritional basis for the use of purple cord color or anthocyanins as a functional food factor that may have benefits for the prevention of obesity and diabetes; Body weight, adipose tissue weight and food and energy intakes.

The incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is secreted by enteroendocrine L cells. Stimulating endogenous GLP-1 secretion by dietary factors is a promising strategy to increase GLP-1 action. Several studies have examined the specific physiological function of wheat protein hydrolysate. Some reports suggested that intake of wheat protein ameliorates hyperglycemia. We hypothesized that wheat protein hydrolysate reduces blood glucose concentration via stimulation of GLP-1 secretion. In this study, we investigated whether wheat protein hydrolysate stimulates GLP-1 secretion and its molecular mechanism in an enteroendocrine L cell line (GLUTag cells), and we examined the effect on glucose tolerance via stimulation of GLP-1 secretion followed by induction of insulin secretion in rats. The low-molecular fraction of wheat protein hydrolysate (LWP) significantly increased GLP-1 secretion, whereas the high-molecular fraction did not. This increase was found to involve activation of the Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent kinase II pathway mediated by G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 subtype A. Moreover, preadministration of LWP ameliorated hyperglycemia via the stimulation of GLP-1 secretion followed by induction of insulin secretion in rats. Furthermore, this LWP-induced glucose-lowering effect was significantly attenuated by the administration of a GLP-1 receptor antagonist. These results demonstrate that LWP significantly increased GLP-1 secretion through activation of the Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent kinase II pathway mediated by G protein-coupled receptor family C group 6 subtype A in GLUTag cells. Moreover, preadministration of LWP ameliorated hyperglycemia via the stimulation of GLP-1 secretion followed by induction of insulin secretion in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Theasinensins, dimeric catechins, have been reported to possess anti-hyperglycemic activity, but the underlying mechanism for this activity remains unknown. In this study, the effect of theasinensins A and B on glucose uptake into rat skeletal muscle cells (L6 myotubes) was investigated. A glucose uptake study using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxyglucose (2-NBDG) indicated that both theasinensins A and B stimulated glucose uptake in a concentration-dependent manner and translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane. In addition, inhibition studies measuring 2-NBDG uptake in L6 cells revealed that compound C (AMP-activated protein kinase inhibitor) suppressed theasinensin-stimulated glucose uptake, whereas genistein (insulin receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor) and wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor) were inactive. Subsequent experiments on GLUT4-related signaling pathways in L6 cells demonstrated that theasinensins promoted the phosphorylation of AMPK, but not that of Akt, and that the theasinensin-promoted glucose uptake was blocked in the presence of a CaMKK inhibitor. The promotion of AMPK phosphorylation by theasinensins was not blocked in LKB1-knockdown cells. Consequently, it was concluded that theasinensins A and B did in fact promote GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane in L6 myotubes through the CaMKK/AMPK signaling pathway, but not through the PI3K/Akt pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Black soybean (Glycine max) has been used for traditional medicine and food in Asian countries, but safety of its hull has not been studied. We conducted acute and chronic oral toxicity studies. For the acute study, an extract of black soybean hull (BE; 2.5g/kg body weight) was administered singly by intragastric intubation to Sprague–Dawley rats and C57BL/6 mice. There was no death or significant decrease in body weight in rats and mice, and the oral LD50 of BE was >2.5g/kg body weight. In the chronic study, BE was administered at dietary levels of 0% (control), 2.0%, and 5.0% to male and female C57BL/6 mice for 26weeks. No mortality or toxicologically significant clinical changes were observed through the experimental period. Although body weights, as well as abdominal fat, blood levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in 5.0% males were significantly lower than that in control and 2.0% groups, these changes were considered not to be adverse. Hematology and histopathological observation revealed no toxicologically significant changes. The no-observed adverse-effect-level of BE was estimated to be 5.0% in the diet (5074.1mg/kg body weight/day for males and 7617.9mg/kg body weight/day for females). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Adipocyte dysfunction is strongly associated with the development of obesity and insulin resistance. It is accepted that the regulation of adipocytokine expression is one of the most important targets for the prevention of obesity and improvement of insulin sensitivity. In this study, we have demonstrated that anthocyanin (cyanidin 3-glucoside; C3G) which is a pigment widespread in the plant kingdom, ameliorates hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity due to the reduction of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) expression in type 2 diabetic mice. KK-Ay mice were fed control or control +0.2% of a C3G diet for 5 weeks. Dietary C3G significantly reduced blood glucose concentration and enhanced insulin sensitivity. The adiponectin and its receptors expression were not responsible for this amelioration. C3G significantly upregulated the glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) and downregulated RBP4 in the white adipose tissue, which is accompanied by downregulation of the inflammatory adipocytokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α) in the white adipose tissue of the C3G group. These findings indicate that C3G has significant potency in an anti-diabetic effect through the regulation of Glut4-RBP4 system and the related inflammatory adipocytokines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The absorption and metabolism of delphinidin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (Dp3G), which is the most potent antioxidant among the blueberry anthocyanins, were studied in rats. Dp3G rapidly appeared in the blood plasma within 15 min of oral administration (100 mg/kg body wt). The plasma level of absorbed Dp3G showed two peaks at 15 and 60 min after ingestion and then decreased time-dependently. However, the plasma level was maintained at approximately 30 nmol/l even after 4 h. Besides the Dp3G peak, a single major metabolite peak was detected by HPLC in the blood plasma obtained at 15 min. MS and NMR spectroscopy clarified that the chemical structure of the metabolite was 4′-O-methyl delphinidin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (methylation of the 4′-OH on the delphinidin B-ring). The present finding of this unique metabolite in anthocyanin metabolism strongly suggests that methylation of the 4′-OH on the flavonoid B-ring is a common metabolic pathway for flavonoids that carry the pyrogallol structure on the B-ring, as the same type of metabolite has been reported for other flavonoids such as epigallocatechin, but not for flavonoids carrying the catechol structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Differences in bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency of (all- E)- and (Z)-carotenoids were evaluated in rats. • Three commercially important carotenoids (lycopene, β-carotene, and lutein) were evaluated. • Z -Isomer-rich carotenoids were prepared from the all- E -isomers by thermal treatment. • Carotenoid Z -isomers had higher bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency than the all- E -isomers. • Feeding of Z -isomer-rich carotenoids enhanced the Z -isomer ratio in plasma and tissues. This study investigated the differences in bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency between all- E - and Z -isomer-rich carotenoids after oral administration to rats. Three commercially important carotenoids (lycopene, β-carotene, and lutein) were chosen for the study. For all carotenoids, feeding with Z -isomer-rich diets increased their concentrations in plasma and tissues at least similar to or more than the all- E -isomer-rich diets, e.g., in rats fed a Z -isomer-rich lycopene, the lycopene concentrations in the plasma and liver after the 2-week administration were respectively 6.2 and 11.6 times higher than those fed an all- E -isomer-rich diet. These results strongly indicate that carotenoid Z -isomers have higher bioavailability and tissue accumulation efficiency than the all- E -isomers. Moreover, diets rich in carotenoid Z -isomers significantly improved the total Z -isomer ratio in plasma and several tissues compared to the all- E -isomers. Since carotenoid Z -isomers potentially have higher antioxidant activity than the all- E -isomers, their accumulation in the body might bring remarkable health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) have been required to ensure delivery of expertise and high-quality services and promptly conduct a clinical trial. Shortening the duration of a clinical trial is considered to have a great impact on the development of pharmaceutical products. IQVIA reported last year that the period to initiate a clinical trial was related to the number of clinical trials conducted by the sites, the Clinical Trial Office staff and the method to shorten the initiation period. IQVIA has previously reported that explored in detail factors that could have an impact on the initiation time. In this study, the Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) of IQVIA was used to select 126 sites that have clinical trials experience with IQVIA that have conducted clinical trials with the company. A web-based questionnaire was sent out to a total of 378 clinical trial physicians, study coordinators and the Clinical Trial Office staff. As a result, 224 or 60% of the surveyed people responded to the questionnaire from January to February 2019. Factors that could influence on the study initiation period were then analyzed based on the results of the questionnaire and the data of the IQVIA's CTMS. The sites that could not be identified in the questionnaires were excluded from the analysis. Of the factors that could influence the initiation period, the following were highlighted as particularly significant: duties involving clinical trial contracts, experience in inspection, training-related tasks and the number of clinical trials conducted by the sites. The results revealed that the number of clinical trials conducted by the sites influenced the initiation period as previously considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]