The Combination of 'Benifuuki' with Quercetin Suppresses Hepatic Fat Accumulation in High-Fat High-Cholesterol Diet-Fed Rats.

We investigated the combined effects of 'Benifuuki,' a tea cultivar that contains O-methylated catechins like epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate, and quercetin on hepatic fat accumulation in male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for 15 d. Rats given 'Benifuuki'+quercetin had synergistically lower liver triglyceride (TG) level compared with rats given 'Benifuuki' or quercetin alone. Compared with 'Benifuuki' or quercetin alone, supplementation with 'Benifuuki'+quercetin resulted in a low level of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) gene expression levels. These results suggest that the combination of 'Benifuuki' and quercetin has greater liver lipid-lowing effects than that of 'Benifuuki' or quercetin alone. The liver TG-lowing effect of combination of 'Benifuuki' with quercetin may be partially mediated by the suppression of lipogenesis. The combination of 'Benifuuki' and quercetin suppresses hepatic fat accumulation in high fat high cholesterol diet fed rats, showing a new trend of 'Benifuuki' as synergist with quercetin.

Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Suppresses Toll-like Receptor 4 Expression via Up-regulation of E3 Ubiquitin-protein Ligase RNF216.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays an essential role in innate immunity through inflammatory cytokine induction. Recent studies demonstrated that the abnormal activation of TLR4 has a pivotal role in obesity-induced inflammation, which is associated with several diseases, including hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and cardiovascular disease. Here we demonstrate that (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, a natural agonist of the 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR), suppressed TLR4 expression through E3 ubiquitin-protein ring finger protein 216 (RNF216) up-regulation. Our data indicate cyclic GMP mediates 67LR agonist-dependent RNF216 up-regulation. Moreover, we show that the highly absorbent 67LR agonist (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)-gallate (EGCG3″Me) significantly attenuated TLR4 expression in the adipose tissue. EGCG3″Me completely inhibited the high-fat/high-sucrose (HF/HS)-induced up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor α in adipose tissue and serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 increase. Furthermore, this agonist intake prevented HF/HS-induced hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia. Taken together, 67LR presents an attractive target for the relief of obesity-induced inflammation.

Green tea cultivar 'Benifuuki' potentiates split vaccine-induced immunoglobulin A production.

Influenza is a widespread disease caused by infection with the influenza virus. Vaccination is considered to be the main countermeasure against influenza. A split vaccine is widely used to avoid severe adverse events, and it induces strong humoral immunity. However, the split vaccine alone cannot elicit mucosal immunity, including IgA production, and its preventative effects are limited. Here, we show that the green tea cultivar 'Benifuuki' extract enhanced the effect of a split vaccine on mucosal immunity. The frequency of IgA+ cells was increased in lung and Peyer's patch that received Benifuuki diet. Secretion of hemagglutinin-specific mucosal IgA, which is closely linked to the prevention of viral infection, was significantly increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of split vaccine-immunized BALB/c mice that were administered green tea Benifuuki extract. Our findings suggest that Benifuuki intake enhanced the effects of the split vaccine on mucosal immunity.

Green tea extract containing a highly absorbent catechin prevents diet-induced lipid metabolism disorder.

We investigated the effects of extracts of Benifuuki (a tea cultivar that contains methylated catechins such as epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3"Me)) in mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose (HF/HS) diet. This tea cultivar was then compared with an extract of Yabukita (a popular tea cultivar that lacks methylated catechins). For 6 weeks, C57BL/6J mice were fed either HF/HS diet with or without tea extracts from tea cultivars, which contained almost identical ingredients except for methylated catechins (i.e., Yabukita (0.2% and 1%) or Benifuuki (0.2% and 1%) extract powders). Supplementation with Benifuuki 0.2% markedly lowered plasma levels of TG and NEFAs compared with mice supplemented with Yabukita 0.2%. The diet containing Benifuuki 1% decreased adipose tissue weights, liver TG, and expression of lipogenic genes in the liver. These results suggested that Benifuuki had much greater lipid-lowering effects than Yabukita. Taken together, these data suggest that methylated catechins direct the strong lipid-lowering activity of Benifuuki.

Effect of vanadate on ATP-induced increase in intracellular calcium ion levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

We investigated the effect of ammonium vanadate (vanadate) on ATP-induced increases in intracellular calcium ion level ([Ca(2+)](i)) of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by fluorescence confocal microscopic imaging using the Ca(2+)-sensitive probe Calcium Green 1/AM. The ATP analogue 2-methylthio-ATP (2meS-ATP), at 10 microM, significantly increased the [Ca(2+)](i) of HUVEC, and this was abolished by 1 microM thapsigargin (a calcium pump inhibitor), whereas extracellular free calcium had no effect. Vanadate at 10 microM also significantly increased the [Ca(2+)](i) of HUVEC, which was abolished by 1 microM thapsigargin. However, vanadate at 1 microM did not exert such a significant effect. We thus examined the influence of < or =1 microM vanadate for 24 h on 2meS-ATP-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Vanadate significantly reduced the action of 2meS-ATP at 1 microM but not at 0.1 microM. Endogenously released ATP is known to induce various actions on endothelial cells. The present results suggest that vanadate exerts a regulatory influence on the function of vascular endothelial cells.

The efficacy of early treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis with benifuuki green tea containing O-methylated catechin before pollen exposure: an open randomized study.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that 'benifuuki' green tea containing O-methylated catechin significantly relieved the symptoms of perennial or seasonal rhinitis compared with a placebo green tea that did not contain O-methylated catechin in randomized double-blind clinical trials. In this study we assessed the effects of 'benifuuki' green tea on clinical symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. METHODS: An open-label, single-dose, randomized, parallel-group study was performed on 38 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis. The subjects were randomly assigned to long-term (December 27, 2006-April 8, 2007, 1.5 months before pollen exposure) or short-term (February 15, 2007: after cedar pollen dispersal--April 8, 2007) drinking of a 'benifuuki' tea drink containing 34 mg O-methylated catechin per day. Each subject recorded their daily symptom scores in a diary. The primary efficacy variable was the mean weekly nasal symptom medication score during the study period. RESULTS: The nasal symptom medication score in the long-term intake group was significantly lower than that of the short-term intake group at the peak of pollen dispersal. The symptom scores for throat pain, nose-blowing, tears, and hindrance to activities of daily living were significantly better in the long-term group than the short-term group. In particular, the differences in the symptom scores for throat pain and nose-blowing between the 2 groups were marked. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that drinking 'benifuuki' tea for 1.5 months prior to the cedar pollen season is effective in reducing symptom scores for Japanese cedar pollinosis.

Browning of model orange juice solution: factors affecting the formation of decomposition products.

A model solution of orange juice was prepared and stored. Factors affecting browning and formation of such decomposition products as 3-hydroxy-2-pyrone (3OH2P), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, 5-hydroxymaltol, and 2-furoic acid were examined. Ascorbic acid (AsA) was essential for browning, which was stimulated by amino acids and citric acid, and repressed by chelators and radical scavengers (RS). 3OH2P was derived from AsA. Its formation was stimulated by sugars and repressed by citric acid, chelating agents, and RS. HMF was derived from fructose. Furfural was derived from AsA, and its formation was stimulated by sugars and chelating agents and repressed by RS. 5-hydroxymaltol and 2-furoic acid were derived from fructose and AsA respectively. We did not find any decomposition products showing the same formation pattern as the browning, but a furfural solution with added amino acids turned brown like the model orange juice solution. It might be an indicator for the browning of orange juice.

Browning and decomposed products of model orange juice.

A model solution of orange juice containing sugars, ascorbic acid, and citric acid was prepared and its browning during storage was examined. The solution gradually turned brown. Ascorbic acid (AsA) most contributed to the browning. Citric acid and such amino acids as Arg and Pro promoted the browning. DTPA, a strong chelator, inhibited the browning. 3-Hydroxy-2-pyrone (3OH2P), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, 5-hydroxymaltol, and 2-furoic acid were identified as decomposed products in the stored solution. When 3OH2P was stored, the solution turned slightly brown. Furfural solution added with amino acids turned yellow. 3OH2P showed a positive relation with the browning of retail orange juice during storage.