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1.
IJU Case Rep ; 5(6): 459-463, 2022 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36341186

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A (MEN2A) harboring a pathological variant in the RET gene are characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma, and hyperparathyroidism. Although pheochromocytoma is currently defined as a malignant tumor, MEN2A-associated pheochromocytoma is known to have a small risk of metastasis. Case presentation: The case was a 62-year-old Japanese male with bilateral pheochromocytoma, multiple metastases in the liver and bones, and a cardiac thrombus. Genetic testing revealed a pathological variant at codon 634 of the RET gene, thereby leading a diagnosis of MTC. We considered that the multiple metastases were due to MTC; however, a liver biopsy revealed metastasis of pheochromocytoma. Conclusion: When pheochromocytoma precedes MTC, the diagnosis of MEN2A may be difficult.

2.
Nutr Res ; 103: 68-81, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35500381

ABSTRACT

Accumulating evidence to date suggests that brown rice is superior to white rice in regard to its beneficial impact on a number of risk factors of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, little is known about the influence of fermented brown rice beverage on the gut microbiota in humans. We therefore hypothesized that its impact would beneficially alter the gut microbiota composition of patients with MetS. Using a 4-week randomized, single-arm study design, subjects (n = 40) were advised to consume a daily fermented brown rice beverage (BA) or fermented white rice beverage (WA) as a replacement of their main meal. Clinical and anthropometric measurements as well as fecal samples were collected at baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and capillary electrophoresis-time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to measure plasma short-chain fatty acids. Interestingly, ingestion of BA in contrast to WA resulted in a unique elevation in the abundance of number of beneficial species belonging to the Clostridia class, associated with reduced inflammation, and increased short-chain fatty acid production: Lactobacillales bacterium DJF B280 (P = .005), Butyrate producing bacterium A2 207 (P = .012), and Firmicutes bacterium DJF VP44 (P = .038). This study demonstrates that consumption of BA is effective to beneficially modulate the gut microbiota compared with WA in patients with MetS.


Subject(s)
Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Metabolic Syndrome , Oryza , Beverages/analysis , Fatty Acids, Volatile/metabolism , Feces/microbiology , Humans , Oryza/genetics , Oryza/metabolism , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis
3.
Cancers (Basel) ; 13(16)2021 Aug 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34439168

ABSTRACT

The high incidence of germline variants in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) has been reported mainly in Europe, but not among Japanese populations in Asia. We aimed to study the prevalence of germline variants in Japanese PPGL patients and the genotype-phenotype correlation. We examined 370 PPGL probands, including 43 patients with family history and/or syndromic presentation and 327 patients with apparently sporadic (AS) presentation. Clinical data and blood samples were collected, and the seven major susceptibility genes (MAX, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, TMEM127, VHL, and RET) were tested using Sanger sequencing. Overall, 120/370 (32.4%) patients had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, with 81/327 (24.8%) in AS presentation. SDHB was the most frequently mutated gene (57, 15.4%), followed by SDHD (27, 7.3%), and VHL (18, 4.9%). The incidence of metastatic PPGL was high in SDHB carriers (21/57, 36.8%). A few unique recurrent variants (SDHB c.137G>A and SDHB c.470delT) were detected in this Japanese cohort, highlighting ethnic differences. In summary, almost a quarter of patients with apparently sporadic PPGL in Japan harboured germline variants of the targeted genes. This study reinforces the recommendation in Western guidelines to perform genetic testing for PPGL and genotype-based clinical decision-making in the Japanese population.

4.
Int J Mol Sci ; 22(11)2021 May 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34072586

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been rapidly increasing worldwide. A choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) has been used to create a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are some reports on the effects on mice of being fed a CDAHFD for long periods of 1 to 3 months. However, the effect of this diet over a short period is unknown. Therefore, we examined the effect of 1-week CDAHFD feeding on the mouse liver. Feeding a CDAHFD diet for only 1-week induced lipid droplet deposition in the liver with increasing activity of liver-derived enzymes in the plasma. On the other hand, it did not induce fibrosis or cirrhosis. Additionally, it was demonstrated that CDAHFD significantly impaired mitochondrial respiration with severe oxidative stress to the liver, which is associated with a decreasing mitochondrial DNA copy number and complex proteins. In the gene expression analysis of the liver, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were significantly increased by CDAHFD. These results demonstrated that 1 week of feeding CDAHFD to mice induces steatohepatitis with mitochondrial dysfunction and severe oxidative stress, without fibrosis, which can partially mimic the early stage of NASH in humans.


Subject(s)
Choline Deficiency/complications , Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects , Mitochondria/drug effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/etiology , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Animals , Biomarkers , Disease Models, Animal , Disease Susceptibility , Gluconeogenesis , Inflammation Mediators/metabolism , Lipid Droplets/metabolism , Lipid Metabolism , Lipogenesis , Liver Cirrhosis/etiology , Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Mice , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology , Phenotype
5.
Nutrients ; 13(5)2021 May 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34065342

ABSTRACT

The effects of exercise on nutrient digestion and absorption in the intestinal tract are not well understood. A few studies have reported that exercise training increases the expression of molecules involved in carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Exercise was also shown to increase the blood concentration of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), which regulates carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Therefore, we investigated the effects of exercise on the expression of molecules involved in intestinal digestion and absorption, including GLP-2. Six-week-old male mice were divided into a sedentary (SED) and low-intensity exercise (LEx) group. LEx mice were required to run on a treadmill (12.5 m/min, 1 h), whereas SED mice rested. All mice were euthanized 1 h after exercise or rest, and plasma, jejunum, ileum, and colon samples were collected, followed by analysis via IHC, EIA, and immunoblotting. The levels of plasma GLP-2 and the jejunum expression of the GLP-2 receptor, sucrase-isomaltase (SI), and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) were higher in LEx mice. Thus, we showed that acute low-intensity exercise affects the expression of molecules involved in intestinal carbohydrate digestion and absorption via GLP-2. Our results suggest that exercise might be beneficial for small intestine function in individuals with intestinal frailty.


Subject(s)
Glucagon-Like Peptide 2/metabolism , Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology , Running/physiology , Up-Regulation/physiology , Animals , Digestion/physiology , Intestinal Absorption/physiology , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestines/physiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred ICR , Models, Animal
6.
J Med Case Rep ; 15(1): 282, 2021 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34020699

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma caused by succinate dehydrogenase gene mutations is called hereditary pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndrome. In particular, succinate dehydrogenase subunit B mutations are important because they are strongly associated with the malignant behavior of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma . This is a case report of a family of hereditary pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndrome carrying a novel mutation in succinate dehydrogenase subunit B. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old Japanese woman, whose father died of metastatic paraganglioma, was diagnosed with abdominal paraganglioma, and underwent total resection. Succinate dehydrogenase subunit B genetic testing detected a splice-site mutation, c.424-2delA, in her germline and paraganglioma tissue. Afterwards, the same succinate dehydrogenase subunit B mutation was detected in her father's paraganglioma tissues. In silico analysis predicted the mutation as "disease causing." She is under close follow-up, and no recurrence or metastasis has been observed for 4 years since surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a novel succinate dehydrogenase subunit B mutation, c.424-2delA, in a Japanese family afflicted with hereditary pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndrome and found the mutation to be responsible for hereditary pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma syndrome. This case emphasizes the importance of performing genetic testing for patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma suspected of harboring the succinate dehydrogenase subunit B mutation (that is, metastatic, extra-adrenal, multiple, early onset, and family history of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma) and offer surveillance screening to mutation carriers.


Subject(s)
Adrenal Gland Neoplasms , Paraganglioma , Pheochromocytoma , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/genetics , Adrenal Gland Neoplasms/surgery , Adult , Female , Humans , Japan , Mutation , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Paraganglioma/genetics , Paraganglioma/surgery , Pheochromocytoma/genetics , Succinate Dehydrogenase/genetics , Succinic Acid , Young Adult
7.
Eur J Nutr ; 59(6): 2411-2425, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31506767

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and flaxseed oil (FO) contain a variety of constituents beneficial for chronic inflammation and cardio-metabolic derangement. However, little is known about the impact of EVOO and FO on dysbiosis of gut microbiota, intestinal immunity, and barrier. We, therefore, aimed to assess the impact of EVOO and FO on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, barrier integrity, and metabolic health in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 J mice were exposed to a low-fat (LF), lard (HF), high fat-extra virgin olive oil (HF-EVOO), or high fat-flaxseed oil (HF-FO) diet for 10 weeks. Gut microbiota assessment was undertaken using 16S rRNA sequencing. Levels of mRNA for genes involved in intestinal inflammation and barrier maintenance in the intestine and bacterial infiltration in the liver were measured by qPCR. RESULTS: HF-EVOO or HF-FO mice showed greater diversity in gut microbiota as well as a lower abundance of the Firmicutes phylum in comparison with HF mice (P < 0.05). The qPCR analyses revealed that mRNA level of FoxP3, a transcription factor, and IL-10, an inducer of regulatory T cells, was significantly elevated in the intestines of mice-fed HF-EVOO in comparison with mice-fed HF (P < 0.05). The mRNA level of the antimicrobial peptide, RegӀӀӀγ, was markedly elevated in the intestines of HF-EVOO and HF-FO compared with HF group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the consumption of EVOO or FO can beneficially impact gut microbiota, enhance gut immunity, and assist in the preservation of metabolic health in mice.


Subject(s)
Bacteria/drug effects , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/immunology , Intestinal Mucosa/immunology , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Linseed Oil/pharmacology , Olive Oil/pharmacology , Animals , Bacteria/genetics , Bacteria/isolation & purification , Flax/chemistry , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Olea/chemistry , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
8.
J Diabetes Investig ; 10(1): 94-103, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29862667

ABSTRACT

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: There is controversy as to whether hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases. The serum level of uric acid is affected by a wide variety of factors involved in its production and excretion. In contrast, evidence has accumulated that locally- and systemically-activated xanthine oxidase (XO), a rate-limiting enzyme for production of uric acid, is linked to metabolic derangement in humans and rodents. We therefore explored the clinical implication of plasma XO activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome (MetS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 60 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and MetS. MetS was defined according to the 2005 International Diabetes Federation guidelines. Plasma XO activity was measured by highly-sensitive fluorometric assay measuring the conversion of pterin to isoxanthopterin, and explored associations between the value of plasma XO activity and metabolic parameters. RESULTS: The value of plasma XO activity was correlated with indices of insulin resistance and the level of circulating liver transaminases. In contrast, the level of serum uric acid was not correlated with indices of insulin resistance. The value of plasma XO activity was not correlated with the serum uric acid level. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma XO activity correlates with indices of insulin resistance and liver dysfunction in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and MetS. Through assessing the plasma XO activity, patients showing normal levels of serum uric acid with higher activity of XO can be screened, thereby possibly providing a clue to uncovering metabolic risks in type 2 diabetes mellitus and MetS patients.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Insulin Resistance , Liver Diseases/blood , Metabolic Syndrome/blood , Xanthine Oxidase/blood , Adult , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Liver Diseases/complications , Male , Metabolic Syndrome/complications , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Risk Factors , Young Adult
9.
J Diabetes Investig ; 10(1): 18-25, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29978570

ABSTRACT

Chronic overconsumption of animal fats causes a variety of health problems, including diabetes mellitus and obesity. Underlying molecular mechanisms encompass leptin resistance, a decrease in rewarding effects of physical activities, xanthine oxidase-induced oxidative stress in vasculature and peripheral tissue, impaired activation of incretin signaling, deviation in food preference, and dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Based on our clinical observation that daily intake of brown rice effectively ameliorates bodyweight gain, impaired glucose tolerance/insulin resistance and dependence on fatty foods in obese, prediabetes men, a line of research on brown rice (rice bran)-derived γ-oryzanol in mice experiments, cultured cells and human clinical trials is underway in our laboratory. Our works in mice showed that γ-oryzanol, an ester mixture of ferulic acid and several kinds of phytosterols, acts as a molecular chaperone, thereby attenuating the strong preference for animal fats through suppression of endoplasmic reticulum stress in the hypothalamus. In pancreatic islets from both high-fat diet-induced and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, γ-oryzanol ameliorates endoplasmic reticulum stress and protects ß-cells against apoptosis. Noticeably, γ-oryzanol also acts as a potent inhibitor against deoxyribonucleic acid methyltransferases in the brain reward system (striatum) in mice, thereby attenuating, at least partly, the preference for a high-fat diet through the epigenetic modulation of striatal dopamine D2 receptor. Because dopamine D2 receptor signaling in the brain reward system is considerably attenuated in obese humans and rodents, γ-oryzanol might represent a unique property to ameliorate both hedonic and metabolic dysregulation of feeding behavior, highlighting a promising prophylactic avenue to protect against metabolic derangement.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Obesity/metabolism , Phenylpropionates/metabolism , Animals , Diet, High-Fat , Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress , Humans , Hypothalamus/metabolism , Islets of Langerhans/metabolism , Oryza , Phenylpropionates/administration & dosage , Reward
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