Two combined amino acids promote sleep activity in caffeine-induced sleepless model systems

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological and sleep-promoting effects of combined γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) using caffeine-induced sleepless fruit flies, ICR mice, and Sprague-Dawley rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Video-tracking analysis was applied to investigate behavioral changes of Drosophila melanogaster. Pentobarbital-induced sleep test and electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns were used for analysis of sleep latency, duration, and quantity and quality of sleep in vertebrate models. RESULTS: Administration of combined GABA/5-HTP could significantly reverse the caffeine induced total distance of flies (P < 0.001). Also, individually administered and combined GABA/5-HTP significantly increased the total sleeping time in the caffeine-induced sleepless ICR mice (P < 0.001). In the caffeine-induced sleepless SD-rats, combined GABA/5-HTP showed significant differences in sleep quality between individual amino acid administrations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we identified inhibitory effects of combined GABA/5-HTP in locomotor activity, sleep quantity and quality in caffeine-induced sleepless models, indicating that combined GABA/5-HTP may be effective in patients with insomnia by providing sufficient sleep.

Effects of Cyclo-His-Pro-enriched yeast hydrolysate on blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism in obese diabetic ob/ob mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We examined the hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of yeast hydrolysate (YH) enriched with Cyclo-His-Pro (CHP) in the C57BL/6J ob/ob mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mice were separated into 4 groups (8 mice/group) on the basis of blood glucose and body weight: WT control, lean mice given vehicle; ob/ob control, ob/ob mice given vehicle; YH-1, ob/ob mice given 0.5 g/kg of YH; YH-2, ob/ob mice given 1 g/kg of YH. YH in saline or vehicle was administered orally in the same volume every day for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Mice treated with YH (0.5 and 1 g/kg) for 3 weeks displayed a significant reduction in overall body weight gain and perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue weight compared to the ob/ob control group. Additionally, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, glucose, and atherogenic indexes were significantly decreased in the blood of YH-1 and YH-2 groups compared to the ob/ob control. In ob/ob mice, YH administration significantly improved glucose tolerance and blood insulin levels. These data indicate that YH treatment produces potent hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects by controlling body weight, fat mass, blood lipid, insulin levels, and glucose tolerance. CONCLUSION: YH could potentially be used as a treatment option for diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The CHP-enriched YH may be a promising strategy in the development of hypoglycemic peptide nutraceuticals.

Effects of gangliosides from deer bone extract on the gene expressions of matrix metalloproteinases and collagen type II in interleukin-1β-induced osteoarthritic chondrocytes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the anti-osteoarthritic effects of deer bone extract on the gene expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and collagen type II (COL2) in interleukin-1β-induced osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: Primary rabbit chondrocytes were treated as follows: CON (PBS treatment), NC (IL-1β treatment), PC (IL-1β + 100 µg/mL glucosamine sulphate/chondroitin sulphate mixture), and DB (IL-1β + 100 µg/mL deer bone extract). RESULTS: The results of the cell viability assay indicated that deer bone extract at doses ranging from 100 to 500 µg/mL inhibits cell death in chondrocytes induced by IL-1β. Deer bone extract was able to significantly recover the mRNA expression of COL2 that was down-regulated by IL-1β (NC: 0.79 vs. DB: 0.87, P < 0.05) and significantly decrease the mRNA expression of MMP-3 (NC: 2.24 vs. DB: 1.75) and -13 (NC: 1.28 vs. DB: 0.89) in OA chondrocytes (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that deer bone extract induces accumulation of COL2 through the down-regulation of MMPs in IL-1β-induced OA chondrocytes. Our results suggest that deer bone extract, which contains various components related to OA, including chondroitin sulphate, may possess anti-osteoarthritic properties and be of value in inhibiting the pathogenesis of OA.

Effect of dual-type oligosaccharides on constipation in loperamide-treated rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Constipation is a condition that can result from intestinal deformation. Because humans have an upright posture, the effects of gravity can cause this shape deformation. Oligosaccharides are common prebiotics and their effects on bowel health are well known. However, studies of the physiological functionality of a product that contains both lactulose and galactooligosaccharides are insufficient. We investigated the constipation reduction effect of a dual-type oligosaccharide, Dual-Oligo, in loperamide-treated rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Dual-Oligo consists of galactooligosaccharides (15.80%) and lactulose (51.67%). Animals were randomly divided into four groups, the normal group (normal), control group (control), low concentration of Dual-Oligo (LDO) group, and high concentration of Dual-Oligo (HDO) group. After 7 days of oral administration, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, water content of fecal were measured. Blood chemistry, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and intestinal mucosa were analyzed. RESULTS: Dual-Oligo increased the fecal weight, and water content of feces in rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and area of intestinal mucosa significantly increased after treatment with Dual-Oligo in loperamide-induced rats. A high concentration of Dual-Oligo tended to produce more acetic acid than that observed for the control group, and Dual-Oligo affected the production of total SCFA. Bifidobacteria concentration of cecal contents in the high-concentration oligosaccharide (HDO) and low-concentration oligosaccharide (LDO) groups was similar to the result of the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that Dual-Oligo is a functional material that is derived from a natural food product and is effective in ameliorating constipation.

Hematopoietic effect of deer antler extract fermented by Bacillus subtilis on murine marrow cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We examined the chemical composition and the effect of fermented deer antler on hematopoietic factors in bone marrow cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: For the preparation of fermented deer antler extract (FAB), fermentation was carried out using Bacillus subtilis at 30degrees C for 7 days. The hematopoietic effect of FAB was investigated hematopoietic factors in marrow cells. RESULTS: The contents of total sugar, sulfated glycosaminoglycans, and uronic acid and the dry weight gradually increased with fermentation time. The sialic acid content (from 0.14 mg/mL to 0.54 mg/mL) was the highest on the 4th day of fermentation after which it decreased. The proliferating activity of bone marrow cells increased with fermentation times. The levels of various hematopoietic growth factors were determined to verify the beneficial effect of deer antler extract fermented by B. subtilis on hematopoiesis. FAB increased the number of stem cell factors and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in bone marrow cells. In addition, FAB augmented the burst-forming unit erythroid and total colonies in splenocyte-conditioned medium compared with non-fermented antler extract (NFA). However, FAB did not affect the mRNA levels of erythropoietin, an important factor for erythropoiesis. CONCLUSIONS: FAB, like NFA, did not directly affect hematopoiesis, but contributed to hematopoiesis by stimulating the production of hematopoietic factors.

Effects of Glycemic Index for Boiled White Rice and Boiled White Rice Mixed with Grains on Food Consumption and Satiety Rate

In this study, we examined whether the glycemic index (GI) values of boiled white rice (GI=86) and boiled white rice mixed with grains (GI=58) could influence the total energy intake and satiety rate of a rice-based diet. Thirty adult females participated in this study, in which they ate boiled white rice, or boiled white rice mixed with grains, along with side dishes for lunch, and then ate the same white rice diet for dinner in the lab once a week for 2 weeks. There was no significant difference in the visual analogue scales for taste between the two diets. Although there were no differences between the subjects' energy intakes for side dishes, the total energy consumed from the boiled white rice mixed with grains diet (520.5 kcal) was significantly (p <0.001) lower than that consumed from the boiled white rice diet (560.2 kcal). For dinner, the subjects consumed significantly (p <0.001) lower calories when they had eaten the boiled white rice mixed with grains diet for lunch as compared to the boiled white rice diet. In addition, the subjects reported significantly (p <0.01, p <0.001) higher satiety rates after consuming the boiled white rice mixed with grains diet compared to the boiled white rice diet, despite consuming lower calories. In conclusion, these results indicate that consuming low GI rice such as boiled white rice mixed with grains substituted for boiled white rice, may be a useful strategy for weight loss and weight management since individuals will consume less energy without experiencing a reduction in satiety.

The Effect of the Consumption Monitoring Inaccuracy by Vision on Kimbab Intake and Satiety Rate / 대한지역사회영양학회지

It was examined whether altering vision would influence food intake through consumption monitoring and whether this would be reflected in consumption estimate and satiety. The experiment was designed in two visibility levels: 1) an accurate visual cue (bowl covered with wrap) vs 2) a biased visual cue (bowl covered with foil). Thirty three female college students participated in this study. The subjects ate Kimbab in the lab once a week for 2 weeks. They were served 24 pieces of Kimbab in a bowl covered either with wrap or foil. The results showed that the actual Kimbab intake from the bowl covered with foil was significantly lower than the test using wrap (13.4 +/- 3.3 pieces vs 15.0 +/- 3.8 pieces, p < 0.05). And there were no significant differences from the cognitive Kimbab intake between the tests with foil and wrap. However, the satiety rate of Kimbab in a bowl covered with foil was significantly higher than that with wrap at 1 hour and 2 hour after the Kimbab eaten (p < 0.05). Less consumed cases were recognized by subjects due to the inaccuracy during the consumption monitoring process. This result revealed that vision influences not only eating behavior but also subjective feelings of satiety after meal. In conclusion, the consumption monitoring by visual cues can play an important role in food intake and satiety rate.