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BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impairs the anti-inflammatory effects of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and increases cardiovascular mortality. Though the potential role of dietary interventions to manage HDL is well studied, the clinical trials aimed to increase HDL levels have failed to reduce cardiovascular risk, rendering HDL function to be explored as a more relevant clinical parameter. This study investigates the effects of rice endosperm protein (REP), a plant-based protein, on the anti-inflammatory properties of HDL and renal injury-driven atherosclerosis in comparison with casein, an animal protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten-week-old apolipoprotein E-deficient hyperlipidemic mice underwent uninephrectomy. The mice (n = 6 each) were pair-fed a normal casein-based diet or a REP-based diet (both with 20.0% protein content) for seven weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions were detected by en face Sudan IV staining of the aorta. RESULTS: The number and sizes of the atherosclerotic lesions were significantly lower in the REP-based diet-fed group than the casein-based diet-fed group (p = 0.038). However, the REP-based diet neither elicited an ameliorative effect on kidney function or histology nor impacted the cholesterol profiles. Furthermore, HDL from the REP-based diet-fed mice significantly suppressed the inflammatory cytokine response of human umbilical vein endothelial cells than that from the casein-based diet-fed mice (MCP-1, p = 0.010; IL-6, p = 0.011; IL-1β, p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: The REP-based diet has a higher potential to lessen the atherosclerotic lesions accelerated by renal mass reduction than a casein-based diet, which could be associated with the anti-inflammatory effects of HDL.

Carotenoids are naturally synthesized in some species of bacteria, archaea, and fungi (including yeasts) as well as all photosynthetic organisms. Escherichia coli has been the most popular bacterial host for the heterologous production of a variety of carotenoids, including even xanthophylls unique to photosynthetic eukaryotes such as lutein, antheraxanthin, and violaxanthin. However, conversion efficiency of these epoxy-xanthophylls (antheraxanthin and violaxanthin) from zeaxanthin remained substantially low. We here examined several factors affecting their productivity in E. coli. Two sorts of plasmids were introduced into the bacterial host, i.e., a plasmid to produce zeaxanthin due to the presence of the Pantoea ananatis crtE, crtB, crtI, crtY, and crtZ genes in addition to the Haematococcus pluvialis IDI gene, and one containing each of zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP) genes originated from nine photosynthetic eukaryotes. It was consequently found that paprika (Capsicum annuum) ZEP (CaZEP) showed the highest conversion activity. Next, using the CaZEP gene, we performed optimization experiments in relation to E. coli strains as the production hosts, expression vectors, and ribosome-binding site (RBS) sequences. As a result, the highest productivity of violaxanthin (231 μg/g dry weight) was observed, when the pUC18 vector was used with CaZEP preceded by a RBS sequence of score 5000 in strain JM101(DE3).

Obesity and related disorders, which are increasing in adults worldwide, are closely linked to childhood diet and are associated with chronic inflammation. Rice endosperm protein (REP) intake during adulthood has been reported to improve lipid metabolism and suppress the progression of diabetic kidney disease in animal models. However, the effects of REP intake during childhood on adulthood health are unclear. Therefore, we used a mouse model to experimentally investigate the preconditioning effects of REP intake during childhood on the development of obesity and related disorders in adulthood. Male C57BL/6J mice were pair-fed a normal-fat diet containing casein or REP during the juvenile period and then a high-fat diet (HFD) containing casein or REP during adulthood. Mice fed REP during the juvenile period showed better body weight, blood pressure, serum lipid profiles, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein levels, and glucose tolerance in adulthood than those fed casein during the juvenile period. HFD-induced renal tubulo-glomerular alterations and hepatic microvesicular steatosis were less evident in REP-fed mice than in casein-fed ones. REP intake during the juvenile period improved HFD-induced dysbiosis (i.e., Escherichia genus proliferation and reduced gut microbiota diversity), thereby suppressing endotoxin-related chronic inflammation. Indeed, REP-derived peptides showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, a major producer of LPS. In conclusion, REP supplementation during the juvenile period may regulate the gut microbiota and thus suppress the development of obesity and related disorders in adulthood in mice.

Introduction: Obesity is associated with lifestyle diseases such as type 2 diabetes and organ complications including kidney disease. Childhood diet has a great influence on the development of obesity and its related disorders. Rice endosperm protein (REP) has been reported to improve lipid metabolism and suppress the progression of diabetic kidney disease in animal models. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the effects of REP intake during childhood on the development of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its related disorders during adulthood in mice. Methods: Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were pair-fed a normal-fat diet containing casein or REP for 6 weeks (childhood), and subsequently, an HFD containing casein or REP for 12 weeks (adulthood). Mice were then tested for oral glucose tolerance and subjected to the analyses of growth status, biochemical parameters, kidney histology, and fecal gut microbiota by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Antibacterial activity of REP-derived peptides against gut microbiota was evaluated in vitro. Results: Mice fed REP in childhood showed less increase in body weight, total fat mass, blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein, and better glucose tolerance than those fed casein in childhood followed by HFD with casein or REP. Furthermore, HFD-induced glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, and vacuolar formation in proximal tubules were suppressed in mice fed REP than those fed casein in childhood. The intake of REP in childhood ameliorated dysbiosis caused by HFD. Additionally, REP-derived peptides showed antibacterial activity against E. coli, a major producer of LPS. Conclusion: These results indicate that the intake of REP during childhood can inhibit the progression of HFD-induced metabolic disorders and kidney disease in adulthood, probably through the effects of REP on gut microbiota. Disclosure Y. Higuchi: None. M. Hosojima: Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma Inc., Biotech Japan Corporation, Daiichi Sankyo Co.,Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Forica Foods Co.,Ltd., Kameda Seika Co.,Ltd., Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, MSD K.K., Novo Nordisc Pharma Ltd., Sato Foods Industries Co.,Ltd., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical.Co.,Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd. H. Kabasawa: Research Support; Self; Astellas Pharma Inc., Biotec Japan Corporation, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Forica Foods CO.,LTD., KAMEDA SEIKA CO., LTD., Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, MSD K.K, Novo Nordisc Pharma Ltd, Sato Foods Industries CO.,LTD., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical.CO.,LTD., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. S. Kuwahara: None. R. Kaseda: None. H. Arao: None. T. Tanaka: None. I. Narita: None. A. Saito: None.

Stress induces various neurobiological responses and causes psychiatric disorders, including depression. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) plays an important role in various functions of the brain, such as regulation of mood, anxiety and aggression, and dysregulation of MAO-A is observed in stress-related psychiatric disorders. This study addressed the question whether acute social stress induces changes to transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional regulation of MAO-A expression in the brain. Using male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), we investigated whether acute social stress, induced by the presence of a dominant male fish, changes the expression of MAO-A. We measured gene expression of MAO-A by quantitative PCR, enzymatic activity of MAO-A by the luminescent method, and 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in the brain of socially stressed and control fish. Socially stressed males showed decreased MAO-A mRNA levels, consistent MAO-A enzymatic activity, increased 5-HT turnover in the brain, and elevated plasma cortisol levels, compared to controls. Our results suggest that acute social stress suppresses the transcription of MAO-A gene, enhances 5-HT metabolism but does not affect the production of MAO-A protein.

The synthesis and catalytic activity of several classes of NHC–Ni(0) pre-catalysts stabilized by electron-withdrawing alkenes are described. Variations in the structure of fumarate and acrylate ligands modulate the reactivity and stability of the NHC–Ni(0) pre-catalysts and lead to practical and versatile catalysts for a variety of transformations. The catalytic activity and efficiency of representative members of this class of catalysts have been evaluated in reductive couplings of aldehydes and alkynes and in N-arylations of aryl chlorides.

In the presence of CsF, a wide range of α-substituted α-siloxy silanes were carboxylated under a CO2 atmosphere (1 atm) via Brook rearrangement. A variety of α-substituents including aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl groups were tolerated to afford α-hydroxy acids in moderate-to-high yields. One-pot synthesis from aldehydes using PhMe2SiLi and CO2 was also possible, providing α-hydroxy acids without the isolation of an α-hydroxy silane.

On the basis of growth rate at low pH, yield of lactic acid from glucose, and optical purity of lactic acid produced, we selected lactic acid bacteria favorable for production of optically pure L-lactic acid from defatted rice bran without sterilization. Of 21 strains tested, strains Nos. 13 and 16 produced 27-29kgm-3 of lactic acid with high optical purity from 100kgm-3 of unsterilized defatted rice bran in simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) with MRS medium at pH 4.5, a level at which the growth of indigenous lactic acid bacteria in defatted rice bran was suppressed. In a SSF process using strain No. 16 in which McIlvaine buffer (pH 4.5) was used instead of MRS medium, no growth of indigenous lactic acid bacteria was observed in defatted rice bran, and 28kgm-3 of lactic acid with 92% L-type content was produced from 100kgm-3 of unsterilized defatted rice bran. In SSF using McIlvaine buffer (pH 4.5), the protein fraction of defatted rice bran was found to play a significant role as a nitrogen source for the growth of lactic acid bacteria. By increasing the initial cell concentration to OD660=1.0 for SSF using strain No. 16 and McIlvaine buffer (pH 4.5), the proportion of L-lactic acid produced was enhanced to 95%.

In the presence of CsF, a wide range of α-substituted α-siloxy silanes were carboxylated under a CO2 atmosphere (1 atm) via Brook rearrangement. A variety of α-substituents including aryl, alkenyl, and alkyl groups were tolerated to afford α-hydroxy acids in moderate-to-high yields. One-pot synthesis from aldehydes using PhMe2SiLi and CO2 was also possible, providing α-hydroxy acids without the isolation of an α-hydroxy silane.

α-Amino acids are essential resources for human life and are highly useful as building blocks for organic synthesis. The core framework of an α-amino acid can be divided into three basic components: an aldehyde, an amine, and carbon dioxide (CO(2)). We report herein that a one-step synthesis of α-amino acids has been successfully achieved from these three basic and inexpensive chemicals with a single operation, in which the mixture of an aldehyde, a sulfonamide, and gaseous CO(2) was heated at 100 °C in the presence of Bu(3)Sn-SnBu(3) and CsF. In this one-pot sequential protocol, two important intermediates (imine and α-amino stannane) are involved and the stannyl anion generated in situ plays a crucial role, particularly for the efficient stannylation of the imine in the presence of proton sources and for promoting retrostannylation of the undesired α-alkoxy stannane owing to its high stability and tolerance of the presence of proton sources. This methodology enabled the synthesis of a wide range of racemic arylglycine derivatives in high yields.

α-Amino acids are essential resources for human life and are highly useful as building blocks for organic synthesis. The core framework of an α-amino acid can be divided into three basic components: an aldehyde, an amine, and carbon dioxide (CO(2)). We report herein that a one-step synthesis of α-amino acids has been successfully achieved from these three basic and inexpensive chemicals with a single operation, in which the mixture of an aldehyde, a sulfonamide, and gaseous CO(2) was heated at 100 °C in the presence of Bu(3)Sn-SnBu(3) and CsF. In this one-pot sequential protocol, two important intermediates (imine and α-amino stannane) are involved and the stannyl anion generated in situ plays a crucial role, particularly for the efficient stannylation of the imine in the presence of proton sources and for promoting retrostannylation of the undesired α-alkoxy stannane owing to its high stability and tolerance of the presence of proton sources. This methodology enabled the synthesis of a wide range of racemic arylglycine derivatives in high yields.

In order to clarify the reason why the hydrogen desorption temperature (Td) of MgH2 is lowered by milling, we have studied the change in a local nuclear magnetic field with temperature by means of μ+SR. We have found a very clear oscillation in the ZF-spectrum at 2 K for the "milled" and "milled with Nb2O5" samples, while such oscillation is weaker for the "as prepared" MgH2. It was also found that the oscillation signal is stable up to 250 K and is assigned mainly due to the formation of a H-μ-H system. At temperatures above ambient T, we also found that the ZF-μ+SR spectrum exhibits a static Kubo-Toyabe behavior due to the nuclear magnetic field of 1H. Furthermore, it was clarified that rapid H diffusion starts well below Td only in the milled samples, leading to the conclusion that the consequent enhanced diffusion rate in MgH2 is essential to accelerate the desorption reaction and to decrease Td.