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1.
World J Gastrointest Endosc ; 16(9): 519-525, 2024 Sep 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39351176

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is associated with a variety of adverse events (AEs). One of the most important AEs is post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), which is most common in cases of difficult biliary cannulation. Although the precut technique has been reported as a PEP risk factor, recent studies indicate that early precut could reduce PEP, and that precut itself is not a risk factor. AIM: To evaluate the safety of the precut technique, especially in terms of PEP. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study, spanning the period from November 2011 through December 2021. It included 1556 patients, aged ≥ 20 years, who underwent their initial ERCP attempt for biliary disease with a naïve papilla at the Kawasaki University General Medical Center. We compared the PEP risk between the early precut and the delayed precut group. RESULTS: The PEP incidence rate did not significantly differ between the precut and non-precut groups. However, the PEP incidence was significantly lower in the early precut group than the delayed precut group (3.5% vs 10.5%; P = 0.02). The PEP incidence in the delayed precut group without pancreatic stent insertion (17.3%) was significantly higher compared to other cases (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that early precut may reduce PEP incidence. If the precut decision is delayed, a pancreatic stent should be inserted to prevent PEP.

2.
J Clin Transl Hepatol ; 11(4): 991-997, 2023 Aug 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37408806

ABSTRACT

Both combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CCA) and cholangiolocarcinoma are rare primary liver cancers. cHCC-CCA is believed to originate from transformed hepatocellular carcinoma or liver stem/progenitor cells. Cholangiolocarcinoma is characterized by ductular reaction-like anastomosing cords and glands resembling cholangioles or canals containing hepatocellular carcinoma components and adenocarcinoma cells. According to the 2019 revision of the World Health Organization criteria, a subtype with stem cell features as a subclassification of cHCC-CCA was abolished for lack of conclusive evidence of the stem cell origin theory. That led to the classification of cholangiolocarcinoma with hepatocytic differentiation as cHCC-CCA. Consequently, cholangiolocarcinoma without hepatocytic differentiation is classified as a subtype of small-duct cholangiocarcinoma and is assumed to originate from the bile duct. Herein, we report the first case of double primary cHCC-CCA and cholangiolocarcinoma without hepatocytic differentiation in different hepatic segments of a cirrhotic liver. We believe this case supports the validity of the new World Health Organization criteria because the pathological finding of cHCC-CCA in this case shows the transformation of hepatocellular carcinoma to cholangiocarcinoma. Furthermore, this case may demonstrate that immature ductular cell stemness and mature hepatocyte cell stemness in hepatocarcinogenesis can coexist in the same environment. The results provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of growth, differentiation, and regulation of liver cancers.

3.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37510640

ABSTRACT

Normal-weight obesity is defined as having high body fat but a normal body mass index (BMI). This study examined whether there are differences in habitual physical activity and diet between individuals with normal-weight obesity and obese or non-obesity. This study included 143 males aged 65-75 years, and they were classified into the following three groups according to BMI and visceral fat area (VFA): obese group (n = 27 (BMI: ≥25 kg/m2 and VFA: ≥100 cm2)), normal-weight obese group (n = 35 (BMI: <25 kg/m2 and VFA: ≥100 cm2)) and non-obese group (n = 81 (BMI: <25 kg/m2 and VFA < 100 cm2)). Lowered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated triglyceride and alanine transaminase were observed in the normal-weight obese group than in the non-obese group (all for p ≤ 0.04, effect size ≥ 0.50). No differences were found in physical activity and dietary habits between non-obese and normal-weight obese groups (all for p > 0.05). Although impaired lipid and liver function parameters were observed in older males with normal-weight obesity compared with older males with non-obesity, physical activity and dietary profiles in themselves were not shown these differences in the present study.


Subject(s)
Diet , East Asian People , Exercise , Obesity , Aged , Humans , Male , Body Mass Index , Obesity/epidemiology , Risk Factors
4.
JMIR Res Protoc ; 12: e47024, 2023 Jun 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37294611

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Human health status can be measured on the basis of many different parameters. Statistical relationships among these different health parameters will enable several possible health care applications and an approximation of the current health status of individuals, which will allow for more personalized and preventive health care by informing the potential risks and developing personalized interventions. Furthermore, a better understanding of the modifiable risk factors related to lifestyle, diet, and physical activity will facilitate the design of optimal treatment approaches for individuals. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide a high-dimensional, cross-sectional data set of comprehensive health care information to construct a combined statistical model as a single joint probability distribution and enable further studies on individual relationships among the multidimensional data obtained. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, data were collected from a population of 1000 adult men and women (aged ≥20 years) matching the age ratio of the typical adult Japanese population. Data include biochemical and metabolic profiles from blood, urine, saliva, and oral glucose tolerance tests; bacterial profiles from feces, facial skin, scalp skin, and saliva; messenger RNA, proteome, and metabolite analyses of facial and scalp skin surface lipids; lifestyle surveys and questionnaires; physical, motor, cognitive, and vascular function analyses; alopecia analysis; and comprehensive analyses of body odor components. Statistical analyses will be performed in 2 modes: one to train a joint probability distribution by combining a commercially available health care data set containing large amounts of relatively low-dimensional data with the cross-sectional data set described in this paper and another to individually investigate the relationships among the variables obtained in this study. RESULTS: Recruitment for this study started in October 2021 and ended in February 2022, with a total of 997 participants enrolled. The collected data will be used to build a joint probability distribution called a Virtual Human Generative Model. Both the model and the collected data are expected to provide information on the relationships between various health statuses. CONCLUSIONS: As different degrees of health status correlations are expected to differentially affect individual health status, this study will contribute to the development of empirically justified interventions based on the population. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/47024.

5.
Geriatrics (Basel) ; 8(2)2023 Apr 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37102967

ABSTRACT

Japan is experiencing a super-ageing society faster than anywhere else in the world. Consequently, extending healthy life expectancy is an urgent social issue. To realize a diet that can support the extension of healthy life expectancy, we studied the quantitative relationships among physical activities (number of steps and activity calculated using an accelerometer), physical functions (muscle strength, movement function, agility, static balance, dynamic balance, and walking function), and dietary intake among 469 older adults living in the Tokyo metropolitan area (65-75 years old; 303 women and 166 men) from 23 February 2017 to 31 March 2018. Physical activities and functions were instrumentally measured, and the dietary survey adopted the photographic record method. There was a significant positive association (p < 0.05) between physical activities (steps, medium-intensity activity, and high-intensity activity) and physical functions (movement function, static balance, and walking function), but no association with muscle strength. These three physical functions were significantly positively correlated with intake of vegetables, seeds, fruits, and milk; with magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B6; and with the dietary fibre/carbohydrate composition ratio (p < 0.05). Future intervention trials must verify if balancing diet and nutrition can improve physical activities in older adults through increased physical functions.

6.
JGH Open ; 5(3): 408-409, 2021 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33732891

ABSTRACT

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract with an annual incidence of 1-2 per 10 000 people. Although most GISTs are solid, they may present with predominantly cystic components. A 69-year-old Japanese woman presented with a recently elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level. Computed tomography revealed multiple space-occupying lesions (SOLs) in the liver. These SOLs appear cystic on magnetic resonance imaging and abdominal ultrasound and are associated with thick walls at the margins. In addition, these thick walls showed high intensity on diffusion-weighted images. She was diagnosed with liver metastasis of GIST by diagnostic biopsies from the thick parts of the cystic liver lesion (thick walls at the margins). The primary lesion was thought to be located along the medial side of the descending part of the duodenum, but a duodenal biopsy was initially undiagnosed. Liver metastases due to GISTs are known to cause cystic changes after treatment, such as imatinib mesylate. However, to the best of our knowledge, only six cases where hepatic GIST with predominantly cystic changes (prior to any treatment) have been reported. It should be noted that GISTs appear cystic in all organs.

7.
Food Sci Nutr ; 6(4): 800-805, 2018 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29983942

ABSTRACT

Guava leaf extract and ellagic acid, one of its polyphenolic components, inhibit the activity of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type 5 (ADAMTS-5), which is associated with aggrecan degeneration during the early stage of osteoarthritis (OA). To investigate the efficacy of guava leaf extract for preventing OA, we examined the effect of its dietary intake on cartilage destruction in anterior cruciate ligament-transected (ACLT) rats. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: ACLT control rats fed with control diet, ACLT rats fed with diet containing 0.2% guava leaf extract, ACLT rats fed with diet containing 0.5% guava leaf extract, and sham-operated rats fed with control diet. Mankin's scores, an index of cartilage damage, were higher in rats that underwent ACLT. Guava leaf extract treatment dose-dependently led to lower Mankin's scores and higher concentrations of ellagic acid in the serum and synovial membrane. Ellagic acid levels in the synovial membrane negatively correlated with cartilage destruction scores. These results suggest that dietary guava leaf extract suppresses OA progression in ACLT rats through ellagic acid-mediated inhibition of early joint destruction.

8.
Aging Clin Exp Res ; 30(11): 1391-1398, 2018 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29687303

ABSTRACT

The extract of Psidium guajava Linn. (guava) leaf was recently revealed to suppress the advance of osteoarthritis (OA) in rat anterior cruciate ligament-transection models. To investigate the efficacy of guava leaf extract in improving knee pain, which is a common symptom of OA, we conducted a double-blind parallel pilot clinical study in Japanese subjects with knee pain. The subjects, who had no medical history of knee treatment, were randomly assigned to two groups with similar total Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) scores. During the 12-week intake period, the subjects in each group ingested 1 g of guava leaf extract (the guava group) or placebo (the placebo group) daily. At week 12, pain and stiffness in knees (one subcategory of JKOM score) in the guava group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group. Using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for knee pain, a significant association between treatment effect and test period was shown, and the guava group had a lower VAS score at week 12 than the placebo group. In conclusion, continuous intake of guava leaf extract might relieve knee pain, suggesting a potential preventive effect against OA symptoms.


Subject(s)
Osteoarthritis, Knee/drug therapy , Pain/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Plant Leaves , Psidium , Aged , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Japan , Knee Joint/drug effects , Male , Middle Aged , Pain Measurement , Pilot Projects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology
9.
Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi ; 112(12): 2176-82, 2015 Dec.
Article in Japanese | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26638790

ABSTRACT

A 55-year-old man presented with general malaise in May 2012. On reviewing his clinical records in 1989, we found that he had a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the left lobe, for which he had undergone left lobectomy in November 1989. However, there was no record of any follow-up examination from 1996 to 2011. Computed tomography in May 2012 revealed a right adrenal gland tumor measuring 8.5×6.5cm, which we treated by right adrenalectomy. Postoperative pathological examination showed this to be a metastasis of poorly differentiated HCC. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has reported HCC recurrence such a long duration after HCC resection.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/secondary , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Hepatectomy , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Recurrence , Time Factors
10.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) ; 56(4): 266-9, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20924150

ABSTRACT

The bioavailability of acetate in various vinegar supplements, e.g. as capsules and drinks, remains unclear. Thus, we conducted a cross-over clinical study in 30 healthy subjects. After an overnight fast, subjects received each test sample in a randomised sequence: 9 vinegar capsules (containing 750 mg acetic acid in total) with 150 mL of water, 100 mL of vinegar drink (containing 750 mg acetic acid), and 150 mL of water as reference. Blood samples were collected before (defined as 0 min), at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after each test sample intake. In the vinegar drink group, serum acetate concentration increased immediately after intake, peaked at 15 min and returned to baseline at 90 min. That in the vinegar capsule group rose slowly, peaked at 30 min and returned to baseline at 120 min. The peak values in both groups exceeded 200 µmol/L, the physiologically active concentration confirmed by in vitro experiment. In the reference group, levels remained constant throughout the 180-min period. The amount of absorbed acetate from the vinegar capsule group and the drink group was evaluated by the difference value of the area under the serum acetate concentration-time curve (AUC) between in each vinegar group and in the reference group (expressed as AUC(capsule-ref) and AUC(drink-ref ), respectively). AUC(capsule-ref) was about 80% of AUC(drink-ref ), but there was no significant difference between them.


Subject(s)
Acetates/blood , Acetic Acid/pharmacokinetics , Dietary Supplements , Acetic Acid/administration & dosage , Adult , Area Under Curve , Beverages , Biological Availability , Capsules , Cross-Over Studies , Fasting , Female , Humans , Intestinal Absorption , Male , Middle Aged , Single-Blind Method
11.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem ; 74(5): 1055-61, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20460711

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effect of acetate on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by immunoblotting assay and the ability of acetic acid to upregulate flow-mediated vasodilatation in humans. In HUVECs, acetate induced a biphasic increase in the phosphorylated form of eNOS. The amount of phosphorylated eNOS was significantly increased by exposure to 200 mumol/l acetate for 20 min (early phase) and for 4 h (late phase). The inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) blocked acetate-induced eNOS phosphorylation in the early and the late phase respectively. Furthermore, in postmenopausal women, maximum forearm blood flow (FBF) in response to shear stress increased in the vinegar (acetic acid) administered group compared to the placebo group. These results suggest that acetic acid-induced eNOS phosphorylation contributes to upregulation of flow-mediated vasodilatation in humans.


Subject(s)
Acetic Acid/metabolism , Acetic Acid/pharmacology , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism , Regional Blood Flow , Up-Regulation/drug effects , Vasodilation/drug effects , AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Biological Transport , Cell Line , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Enzyme Activation/drug effects , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Plethysmography , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Signal Transduction/drug effects
12.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem ; 73(8): 1837-43, 2009 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19661687

ABSTRACT

Acetic acid (AcOH), a main component of vinegar, recently was found to suppress body fat accumulation in animal studies. Hence we investigated the effects of vinegar intake on the reduction of body fat mass in obese Japanese in a double-blind trial. The subjects were randomly assigned to three groups of similar body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. During the 12-week treatment period, the subjects in each group ingested 500 ml daily of a beverage containing either 15 ml of vinegar (750 mg AcOH), 30 ml of vinegar (1,500 mg AcOH), or 0 ml of vinegar (0 mg AcOH, placebo). Body weight, BMI, visceral fat area, waist circumference, and serum triglyceride levels were significantly lower in both vinegar intake groups than in the placebo group. In conclusion, daily intake of vinegar might be useful in the prevention of metabolic syndrome by reducing obesity.


Subject(s)
Acetic Acid/pharmacology , Adipose Tissue/drug effects , Asian People , Body Weight/drug effects , Obesity/blood , Obesity/physiopathology , Triglycerides/blood , Abdominal Fat/drug effects , Abdominal Fat/metabolism , Acetic Acid/administration & dosage , Acetic Acid/therapeutic use , Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/diet therapy , Placebo Effect , Time Factors
13.
J Agric Food Chem ; 57(13): 5982-6, 2009 Jul 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19469536

ABSTRACT

We investigated the effect of acetic acid (AcOH) on the prevention of obesity in high-fat-fed mice. The mice were intragastrically administrated with water or 0.3 or 1.5% AcOH for 6 weeks. AcOH administration inhibited the accumulation of body fat and hepatic lipids without changing food consumption or skeletal muscle weight. Significant increases were observed in the expressions of genes for peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and for fatty-acid-oxidation- and thermogenesis-related proteins: acetyl-CoA oxidase (ACO), carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1), and uncoupling protein-2 (UCP-2), in the liver of the AcOH-treatment groups. PPARalpha, ACO, CPT-1, and UCP-2 gene expressions were increased in vitro by acetate addition to HepG2 cells. However, the effects were not observed in cells depleted of alpha2 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by siRNA. In conclusion, AcOH suppresses accumulation of body fat and liver lipids by upregulation of genes for PPARalpha and fatty-acid-oxidation-related proteins by alpha2 AMPK mediation in the liver.


Subject(s)
Acetic Acid/pharmacology , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Lipogenesis/genetics , Liver/enzymology , Obesity/metabolism , Up-Regulation/drug effects , Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase/genetics , Animals , Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Hepatoblastoma , Humans , Ion Channels/genetics , Lipids/analysis , Liver/chemistry , Liver Neoplasms , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics , Oxidation-Reduction , PPAR alpha/genetics , Uncoupling Protein 2
14.
Br J Nutr ; 95(5): 916-24, 2006 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16611381

ABSTRACT

To investigate the efficacy of the intake of vinegar for prevention of hyperlipidaemia, we examined the effect of dietary acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, on serum lipid values in rats fed a diet containing 1 % (w/w) cholesterol. Animals were allowed free access to a diet containing no cholesterol, a diet containing 1 % cholesterol without acetic acid, or a diet containing 1 % cholesterol with 0.3 % (w/w) acetic acid for 19 d. Then, they were killed after food deprivation for 7 h. Cholesterol feeding increased serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. Compared with the cholesterol-fed group, the cholesterol and acetic acid-fed group had significantly lower values for serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerols, liver ATP citrate lyase (ATP-CL) activity, and liver 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA content as well as liver mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1, ATP-CL and fatty acid synthase (P<0.05). Further, the serum secretin level, liver acyl-CoA oxidase expression, and faecal bile acid content were significantly higher in the cholesterol and acetic acid-fed group than in the cholesterol-fed group (P<0.05). However, acetic acid feeding affected neither the mRNA level nor activity of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase. In conclusion, dietary acetic acid reduced serum total cholesterol and triacylglycerol: first due to the inhibition of lipogenesis in liver; second due to the increment in faecal bile acid excretion in rats fed a diet containing cholesterol.


Subject(s)
Acetic Acid/pharmacology , Cholesterol/blood , Diet , Hyperlipidemias/prevention & control , Triglycerides/blood , Animals , Body Weight/drug effects , Cholesterol, Dietary/administration & dosage , Eating/drug effects , Feces/chemistry , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Insulin/blood , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Lipogenesis/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Male , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Secretin/blood , Steroids/metabolism
15.
Br J Nutr ; 94(5): 714-9, 2005 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16277773

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of acetic acid feeding on the circadian changes in glycogen concentration in liver and skeletal muscle. Rats were provided meal once daily (09.00-13.00 hours) for 10 d. On the 11th day, they were either killed immediately or given 9 g diet containing either 0 (control) or 0.7 g/kg-diet acetic acid beginning at 09.00 hours for 4 h, as in the previous regimen. Rats in the fed group were killed at 4, 8 or 24 h after the start of feeding. At 4 h after the start of feeding, the acetic acid group had significantly greater liver and gastrocnemius muscle glycogen concentrations (P<0.05). Also, at this same point, liver xylulose-5-phosphate, a key stimulator of glycolysis, the ratio of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to fructose-6-phosphate in skeletal muscle, which reflects phosphofructokinase-1 activity, and liver malonyl-CoA, an allosteric inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyl-transferase, were significantly lower in the acetic acid group than in the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the acetic acid group had a significantly lower serum lactate concentration and lower ratio of insulin to glucagon than the control group at the same point (P<0.05). We conclude that a diet containing acetic acid may enhance glycogen repletion but not induce supercompensation, a large increase in the glycogen level that is beneficial in improving performance, in liver and skeletal muscle by transitory inhibition of glycolysis. Further, we indicate the possibility of a transient enhancement of fatty acid oxidation in liver by acetic acid feeding.


Subject(s)
Acetic Acid/administration & dosage , Circadian Rhythm/physiology , Glucose/metabolism , Glycogen/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism/physiology , Liver/metabolism , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Animals , Fructosediphosphates/analysis , Fructosephosphates/analysis , Glucagon/blood , Insulin/blood , Lactates/blood , Male , Muscle, Skeletal/enzymology , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley
16.
Int J Cancer ; 115(5): 769-76, 2005 Jul 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15729692

ABSTRACT

We previously found that an extracellular polysaccharide, AC-1, produced by Acetobacter polysaccharogenes composed of (1,4)-beta-D-glucan with branches of glucosyl residues showed a strong activity to induce production of interleukin (IL)-12 p40 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by macrophage cell lines in vitro via Toll-like receptor-4 signaling. In the present study, we examined the effects of oral administration of AC-1 on protection against 2 types of murine B16 melanoma lines, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-negative B16L and MHC class I gene-transfected B16K(b) cells. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously with B16L or B16K(b) cells on day 0 and administrated intragastrically with AC-1 or PBS once every 5 days from 1 day before tumor inoculation. The tumor growth was severely retarded in AC-1-treated mice after subcutaneous inoculation with B16L or B16K(b) cells. The AC-1-treated mice showed augmented natural killer (NK) cell activity against B16L cells, and in vivo depletion of NK cells by antiasialoGM1 antibody (Ab) treatment abrogated the antitumor activity in AC-1-treated mice. On the other hand, AC-1-treated mice inoculated with B16K(b) cells developed a significantly higher level of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response against B16K(b) cells, and in vivo depletion of CD8(+) T cells by anti-CD8 mAb treatment abrogated the antitumor activity. Thus, AC-1 augmented antitumor activity against different tumors via augmentation of different antitumor mechanisms. These results suggest a possible prophylactic application of AC-1 for human neoplasms irrespective of expression levels of their MHC class I molecules.


Subject(s)
Acetobacter/chemistry , Glucans/pharmacology , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Melanoma/pathology , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , Administration, Oral , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Genes, MHC Class I , HLA Antigens/biosynthesis , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Tumor Cells, Cultured
17.
Infect Immun ; 72(12): 7005-11, 2004 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15557623

ABSTRACT

We previously found that AC-1, an extracellular polysaccharide, produced by Acetobacter xylinum and composed of (1,4)-beta-D-glucan with branches of glucosyl residues, showed a strong activity to induce production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) p40 and tumor necrosis factor alpha by macrophages in vitro via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) signaling. In the present study, we examined the effect of oral administration of AC-1 on protective immunity against Listeria monocytogenes. Mice were given AC-1 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) intragastrically 2 days before, on the day of, and 2 days after an intraperitoneal inoculation of L. monocytogenes. The survival rate of AC-1-treated mice was significantly improved and bacterial growth in AC-1-treated mice was severely retarded compared to those of PBS-treated mice after infection with L. monocytogenes. IL-12 p40 levels in serum and magnitudes of CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ Tc1 responses against Listeria antigen were significantly higher in AC-1-treated mice than in PBS-treated mice. The effect of AC-1 on antilisterial activity was diminished in C3H/HeJ mice carrying mutated TLR-4. Thus, AC-1, a potent IL-12 inducer through TLR-4, enhanced protective immunity against L. monocytogenes via augmentation of Th1 responses. These results suggest that infectious processes driven by intracellular microorganisms could be prevented to develop by the (1,4)-beta-D-glucan.


Subject(s)
Acetobacter/chemistry , Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Listeria monocytogenes/immunology , Listeriosis/immunology , beta-Glucans/pharmacology , Animals , Disease Susceptibility , Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis , Interleukin-12/biosynthesis , Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 , Mice , Mice, Inbred C3H , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Protein Subunits/biosynthesis , Receptors, Cell Surface/physiology , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/biosynthesis , beta-Glucans/administration & dosage
18.
Exp Biol Med (Maywood) ; 228(10): 1208-12, 2003 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14610262

ABSTRACT

The beneficial effects of physical exercise on the decreased insulin sensitivity caused by detrimental lifestyle were reviewed based on experimental evidences. In epidemiological studies, disease prevention has been considered at three levels: primary (avoiding the occurrence of disease), secondary (early detection and reversal), and tertiary (prevention or delay of complications). The major purpose of physical exercise for primary prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases is to improve insulin sensitivity. It is known that, during physical exercise, glucose uptake by the working muscles rises 7 to 20 times over the basal level, depending on the intensity of the work performed. However, intense exercise provokes the release of insulin-counter regulatory hormones such as glucagons and catecholamines, which ultimately cause a reduction in the insulin action. Continued physical training improves the reduced peripheral tissue sensitivity to insulin in impaired glucose tolerance and Type II diabetes, along with regularization of abnormal lipid metabolism. Furthermore, combination of salt intake restriction and physical training ameliorates hypertension. In practical terms, before diabetic patients undertake any program of physical exercise, various medical examinations are needed to determine whether they have good glycemic control and are without progressive complications. Because the effect of exercise that is manifested in improved insulin sensitivity decreases within 3 days after exercise and is no longer apparent after 1 week, a continued program is needed. For a safety practice, moderate- or low-intensity exercise is preferable. In conclusion, we have found sufficient evidences that support the theory that, combined with other forms of therapy, mild exercise training increases insulin action despite no influence on body mass index or maximal oxygen uptake. Along with evident benefits in health promotion, moderate-intensity exercise might play an important role in facilitating treatment of various diseases.


Subject(s)
Blood Glucose/metabolism , Exercise/physiology , Life Style , Chronic Disease , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/etiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/prevention & control , Epidemiologic Methods , Humans , Insulin/blood , Insulin Resistance , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
19.
J Biol Chem ; 278(40): 38571-8, 2003 Oct 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12799362

ABSTRACT

An extracellular polysaccharide, AC-1, produced by Acetobacter polysaccharogenes is composed of beta-(1,4)glucan with branches of glucosyl residues. We found that AC-1 showed a strong activity to induce production of interleukin-12 P40 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by macrophage cell lines in vitro. Cellulase treatment completely abolished the activity of AC-1 to induce tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by macrophages, whereas treatment of AC-1 with polymyxin B or proteinase did not affect the activity. Results of experiments using toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-deficient mice and TLR4-transfected human cell line indicated that TLR4 is involved in pattern recognition of AC-1. In vivo administration of AC-1 significantly reduced the serum levels of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific IgE and interleukin-4 production by T cells in response to OVA in mice immunized with OVA. AC-1, a soluble branched beta-(1,4)glucan may be useful in prevention and treatment of allergic disorders With IgE production.


Subject(s)
Acetobacter/metabolism , Glucans/chemistry , Immunoglobulin E/chemistry , Interleukin-12/metabolism , Th2 Cells/metabolism , Animals , Anions , Carbohydrate Sequence , Cell Line , Cellulase/pharmacology , Chromatography, Ion Exchange , Cytokines/metabolism , DNA, Complementary/metabolism , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/metabolism , In Vitro Techniques , Luciferases/metabolism , Macrophages/metabolism , Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C3H , Mice, Transgenic , Molecular Sequence Data , Ovalbumin/blood , Plasmids/metabolism , Polymyxin B/pharmacology , Polysaccharides/chemistry , Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics , Sepharose/pharmacology , Spleen/metabolism , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , Toll-Like Receptors , Transfection , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
20.
J Bone Miner Metab ; 20(3): 148-55, 2002.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11984697

ABSTRACT

The effect of phosphogenistein and phosphodaidzein, which are phosphorylated for the hydroxyl group (OH) at the 7-position of genistein and daidzein, on bone components was investigated. Femoral-metaphyseal tissues obtained from male rats (4 weeks old) were cultured for 24-72 h in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (high glucose, 4.5%) supplemented with antibiotics and bovine serum albumin. The presence of phosphogenistein (10(-5) M) caused a significant increase in calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content in bone tissues cultured for 24 h. Phosphodaidzein (10(-5) M) significantly elevated bone calcium and DNA content. These effects were completely prevented by the presence of cycloheximide (10(-6) M), an inhibitor of protein synthesis. When femoral-metaphyseal tissues were cultured for 48 h in the presence of parathyroid hormone (1-34) (PTH; 10(-8) M) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 10(-6) M), bone calcium content was significantly decreased. This decrease was significantly blocked by the presence of phosphogenistein (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) or phosphodaidzein (10(-6) and 10(-5) M). The presence of PTH (10(-8) M) or PGE2 (10(-6) M) caused a significant increase in glucose consumption and lactic acid production by bone tissues. These increases were significantly inhibited by the presence of phosphogenistein (10(-5) M) or phosphodaidzein (10(-5) M), indicating their inhibitory effect on bone resorption. The present study has demonstrated that both phosphogenistein and phosphodaidzein have an anabolic effect on bone metabolism in rat femoral-metaphyseal tissues in vitro.


Subject(s)
Femur/drug effects , Femur/metabolism , Genistein/pharmacology , Isoflavones/pharmacology , Alkaline Phosphatase/drug effects , Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism , Animals , Bone Resorption/metabolism , Bone Resorption/prevention & control , Calcium/metabolism , Culture Techniques , Cycloheximide/pharmacology , DNA/analysis , DNA/drug effects , Dinoprostone/pharmacology , Femur/anatomy & histology , Genistein/analogs & derivatives , Genistein/metabolism , Glucose/analysis , Glucose/metabolism , Isoflavones/chemistry , Isoflavones/metabolism , Lactic Acid/analysis , Lactic Acid/biosynthesis , Male , Parathyroid Hormone/pharmacology , Phosphorylation , Rats , Rats, Wistar
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