RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) often undergo various preoperative treatments to improve survival; however, their efficacy and safety remain unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-tumour effects and adverse events were evaluated in 163 MIBC patients who received systemic chemotherapy (SC, n = 34), intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC, n = 50), or combined IAC and radiotherapy (IAC + R, n = 79). RESULTS: Pathological complete responses were observed in 17.6%, 22.0%, and 43.0% of patients in the SC, IAC, and IAC + R groups, respectively, with respective 5-year overall survival rates of 42.0%, 46.7%, and 50.3%. Multivariate analysis showed that successful IAC + R protocol administration was a significant predictor for survival (hazard ratio = 0.16, p = 0.028). The incidence of severe adverse events was higher in the IAC + R group (36.7%) than in the SC (9.8%) and IAC groups (16.0%). CONCLUSIONS: IAC + R was useful for patients with MIBC. Successful completion and optimal patient selection were important for this treatment strategy.
Asunto(s)
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapéutico , Carcinoma de Células Transicionales/terapia , Neoplasias de la Vejiga Urinaria/terapia , Vejiga Urinaria/patología , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Carboplatino/administración & dosificación , Carcinoma de Células Transicionales/patología , Quimioradioterapia , Quimioradioterapia Adyuvante , Quimioterapia Adyuvante , Cisplatino/administración & dosificación , Cistectomía , Femenino , Fluorouracilo/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Infusiones Intraarteriales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis Multivariante , Terapia Neoadyuvante/métodos , Invasividad Neoplásica , Tratamientos Conservadores del Órgano , Peplomicina/administración & dosificación , Pronóstico , Resultado del Tratamiento , Neoplasias de la Vejiga Urinaria/patologíaAsunto(s)
Cateterismo , Endoscopía Gastrointestinal , Divertículo Ileal/diagnóstico , Adolescente , Coristoma/diagnóstico , Coristoma/patología , Coristoma/cirugía , Mucosa Gástrica , Humanos , Enfermedades del Íleon/diagnóstico , Enfermedades del Íleon/patología , Enfermedades del Íleon/cirugía , Íleon/patología , Laparoscopía , Masculino , Divertículo Ileal/patología , Divertículo Ileal/cirugía , Melena/etiología , Úlcera/diagnóstico , Úlcera/patologíaRESUMEN
Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 interaction is critical for the trafficking of lymphocytes, homing and retention of hematopoietic stem cells within the bone marrow and is essential in fetal hematopoiesis. Binding of SDF-1 to CXCR4 activates a variety of intracellular signal transduction pathways and effector molecules that regulate cell survival, proliferation, chemotaxis, migration and adhesion. Recently, intensive research has demonstrated that SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction also regulates several key events in wide variety of cancers. Serum-depleted media in the presence of SDF-1 protected the breast cancer cells from apoptosis. CXCR4-low-expressing MCF-7 formed small tumor at inoculated site in SCID mice 8-9 weeks after inoculation while completely failed to metastasis into various organs. In contrast, CXCR4-high-expressing MDA-231 cells were most efficient in the formation of a large tumor and organ-metastasis within 3 weeks in SCID mice. This review briefly focuses on the role of SDF-1/CXCR4 interaction in tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancer cell both in vitro and in vivo.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias de la Mama/metabolismo , Quimiocinas CXC/metabolismo , Receptores CXCR4/metabolismo , Animales , Proliferación Celular , Supervivencia Celular , Quimiocina CXCL12 , Humanos , Metástasis de la NeoplasiaRESUMEN
Natural killer (NK) cell is an important component of the innate immune system and plays a central role in host defense against tumor and virus-infected cells. This review briefly summarizes the role of murine NK cells in tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Conventional SCID and NOD-SCID strains have been used to study for xenotransplantion of human tumors. SCID mice models of cancer mimic human diseases and have provided valuable information. However, these mice strains have some residual immunity such as NK cells that somewhat limit post-transplantation growth and metastasis of human xenografts. In contrast, NOD/SCID/gammac(null) (NOG) mice without common gamma-chain inoculated with breast cancer cells were most efficient in the formation of a large tumor and metastasis. NOG mouse strain without NK activity appears to be more promising as tool for xenotransplantion of human cancer. This new xenotransplant model is relevant and can be recommended for use in clarifying the mechanism of growth of cancer cells as well as for developing new therapeutic strategies against cancer.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Células Asesinas Naturales/fisiología , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos NOD , Ratones SCID , Metástasis de la Neoplasia/patología , Trasplante de Neoplasias , Trasplante HeterólogoRESUMEN
We retrospectively studied the occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)-associated pyelonephritis using renal biopsies obtained from the transplanted kidneys, and correlated the histological changes with clinical parameters. Out of a total of 131 renal biopsies performed between 1990 and 2001 on renal transplant patients at the department of Urology of Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 12 patients showed pyuria more than twice in a single year. Seven of these 12 patients were available for determining VUR by voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). Cystoureterography demonstrated VUR in three of seven studied patients with pyuria. A histopathological examination revealed dilatation of both proximal and distal tubules in renal biopsies of transplant patients with VUR, compared to renal biopsies of transplant patients without VUR, or non-transplanted patients with thin membrane disease. One of the patients with VUR showed advanced features of chronic pyelonephritis in four consecutive biopsies at different time points, suggesting a late stage of reflux nephropathy in the transplanted kidney. We conclude from our study that the occurrence of VUR-related pyelonephritis may be one of the important long-term complications in the survival of renal allografts.
Asunto(s)
Trasplante de Riñón/patología , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/patología , Pielonefritis/patología , Reflujo Vesicoureteral/patología , Adulto , Biopsia , Femenino , Humanos , Glomérulos Renales/patología , Túbulos Renales/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pielonefritis/etiología , Reflujo Vesicoureteral/complicacionesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Ghrelin may stimulate gastric motility via the vagal nerve pathway. However, the mechanism of ghrelin-induced changes in gastrointestinal motility has not yet been clearly defined. The present study was designed to investigate whether ghrelin accelerates gastric emptying via capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurones and directly affects the enteric neuromuscular function. METHODS: Gastric emptying of nutrient solids was assessed after intravenous administration of saline or ghrelin in conscious rats. The effects of ghrelin on gastric emptying were also examined in rats pretreated with capsaicin. Gastric emptying and intestinal transit of non-caloric liquids were evaluated using 51Cr solution. The effects of ghrelin on spontaneous contractile activities of isolated strips from stomach and jejunum were also investigated and the influence of ghrelin on motor responses to carbachol and electrical field stimulation was examined. RESULTS: Ghrelin significantly accelerated gastric emptying of both nutrient solids and non-caloric liquids in conscious rats. The intestinal transit of non-caloric liquids was also enhanced by ghrelin. Pretreatment with capsaicin prevented the ghrelin-induced acceleration of gastric emptying of nutrient solids. Ghrelin did not modulate spontaneous and carbachol-induced contractions of strips of gastric body, gastric antrum and jejunum. However, electrical field stimulation-induced contractions were significantly enhanced by ghrelin in the gastric body. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the stimulatory effects of ghrelin on gastric motility are mediated by direct stimulation of the enteric neural pathway and capsaicin-sensitive afferent neurones.
Asunto(s)
Capsaicina/farmacología , Sistema Nervioso Entérico/fisiopatología , Vaciamiento Gástrico/efectos de los fármacos , Vaciamiento Gástrico/fisiología , Tránsito Gastrointestinal/fisiología , Hormonas Peptídicas/fisiología , Vías Aferentes/fisiopatología , Animales , Potenciales Evocados Motores/fisiología , Ghrelina , Yeyuno/fisiopatología , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Estómago/fisiopatología , Técnicas de Cultivo de TejidosRESUMEN
Genetic diversities of the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes in Pinus parviflora were studied in 16 populations, which were distributed across most of the species' range in Japan. Six mitochondrial DNA haplotypes were identified among the 16 populations. The intrapopulation diversity of allozymes was similar to that of other endemic woody species (H(S)=0.259). Although P. parviflora is distributed in discrete populations, differentiation between these was very low (G(ST)=0.044). In addition, the extent of genetic differentiation between two varieties (var. pentaphylla and var. parviflora) was extremely low (G(VT)=0.001). Intrapopulation diversity of mitochondrial DNA was also very low (H(S)=0.098), but population differentiation was high (G(ST)=0.863). Moreover, the distribution of haplotypes reflected the taxonomic differences between P. parviflora var. pentaphylla and var. parviflora. The populations of var. pentaphylla and var. parviflora contained different haplotypes. Differing modes of inheritance may account for the differences in nuclear and mitochondrial genetic diversity.
Asunto(s)
Variación Genética , Genoma de Planta , Pinus/genética , Autorradiografía , Southern Blotting , Análisis por Conglomerados , ADN Mitocondrial/genética , Electroforesis , Frecuencia de los Genes , Geografía , Haplotipos/genética , Patrón de Herencia/genética , Isoenzimas , Japón , Polimorfismo de Longitud del Fragmento de Restricción , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
AIM: To examine the pathological changes of hepatic arteries in idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) which is characterized by the obliteration of the intrahepatic portal vein branches and presinusoidal portal hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: Liver specimens (biopsied or surgically resected) from 20 patients with IPH, 20 patients with alcoholic fibrosis/cirrhosis (AF/C) and 20 histologically normal livers were used. The vascular lumina of arterial and venous vessels in portal tracts were morphometrically evaluated by an image analysis system. The ratio of portal venous luminal area to portal tract area (portal venous index) of IPH and that of AF/C were significantly reduced compared with normal liver. The portal venous index for IPH was significantly lower than that for AF/C. The ratio of hepatic arterial luminal area to portal tract area for AF/C was significantly higher than that in normal liver; however, that for IPH was similar to normal. The peribiliary vascular plexus was increased in AF/C but not in IPH. In AF/C, the number of mast cells and macrophages known to be the source of angiogenic substances was significantly increased in the portal tract compared with normal liver, while in IPH it was not increased. CONCLUSIONS: In AF/C, a reduction in portal venous lumen was associated with an increase of hepatic arterial lumen and of angiogenesis-related cells in portal tracts. However, such compensatory arterial changes were not evident in IPH, and this compensatory failure may be a feature of IPH.
Asunto(s)
Arteria Hepática/patología , Hipertensión Portal/patología , Cirrosis Hepática Alcohólica/patología , Vena Porta/patología , Biopsia , Femenino , Humanos , Hipertensión Portal/metabolismo , Hipertensión Portal/cirugía , Procesamiento de Imagen Asistido por Computador , Inmunohistoquímica , Circulación Hepática , Cirrosis Hepática Alcohólica/metabolismo , Cirrosis Hepática Alcohólica/cirugía , Macrófagos/patología , Masculino , Mastocitos/patologíaRESUMEN
Mice devoid of the original uncoupling protein UCP1 have provided opportunities to delineate UCP1 function in a series of biochemical and physiological contexts. The isolated brown-fat mitochondria from such mice are fully coupled (without the addition of GDP), but still exhibit a depressed capacity for ATP synthesis. However, they only show a 2-fold decrease in sensitivity to the de-energizing effect of free fatty acids, compared with UCP1-containing mitochondria, whereas they possess a (UCP1-independent) 50-fold higher sensitivity than liver mitochondria; the fatty acid sensitivities in wild-type and UCP1-deficient mitochondria may, however, be of different natures. Despite the fact that brown-fat cells from UCP1-ablated mice cannot produce heat when stimulated by noradrenaline ('norepinephrine') or fatty acids, UCP1-ablated mice can be induced to tolerate extended cold exposure, but the heat then fully results from shivering thermogenesis. Recruitable or adaptive (by cold acclimation or adaptation to a cafeteria diet) adrenergically-stimulated thermogenesis does not exist in the UCP1-ablated animals, demonstrating the unique ability of UCP1 to mediate recruitable non-shivering thermogenesis. In addition to information on the function of UCP1, the UCP1-ablated mice can be used to gain information concerning the function of the UCP1 homologues. Thus whereas an uncoupling function of the UCP1 homologues cannot be excluded, UCP1-ablated animals clearly lack any ability to recruit any UCP1 homologue to functionally replace the loss of thermogenesis resulting from UCP1. UCP1 (thermogenin) thus remains the only protein the activity of which can be recruited for the purpose of facultative thermogenesis.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Portadoras/genética , Proteínas Portadoras/fisiología , Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Proteínas de la Membrana/fisiología , Mitocondrias/metabolismo , Tejido Adiposo Pardo/metabolismo , Animales , Carbonil Cianuro p-Trifluorometoxifenil Hidrazona/farmacología , Frío , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Guanosina Difosfato/farmacología , Canales Iónicos , Potenciales de la Membrana , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Proteínas Mitocondriales , Temperatura , Proteína Desacopladora 1RESUMEN
We investigated the role of hepatitis B virus infection in development of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C virus-infected patients without hepatic fibrosis. Of 253 patients, 8 lacked hepatic fibrosis (group 1); group 2 included the remaining 245 patients. Clinicopathologic findings were compared between the groups. Hepatitis B x gene was sought in cancers and adjoining noncancerous liver. Group 1 showed better liver function parameters and milder active hepatitis than group 2. The proportion of patients with anti-hepatitis B virus antibody tended to be higher in group 1 than in group 2. The proportion of patients with hepatitis B x RNA in cancers was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. All group 1 patients had previous or occult hepatitis B virus infection. Previous or occult hepatitis B virus infection may be critical in development of hepatocellular carcinomas in hepatitis C virus-infected patients without hepatic fibrosis.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma Hepatocelular/virología , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Cirrosis Hepática , Neoplasias Hepáticas/virología , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , ADN Viral/análisis , Femenino , Hepatitis B/complicaciones , Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis C/complicaciones , Humanos , Hígado/patología , Hígado/virología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , ARN Viral/análisisRESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIM: Treatment for dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma to the pleura and diaphragm following percutaneous needle biopsy has not been established. METHODS: The case of a 57-year-old man who underwent percutaneous needle biopsy for liver tumor is presented. RESULTS: Ten months after resection of the tumor (moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma), masses in the right pleural cavity and on the diaphragm were detected by computed tomography. Resections of the masses with surrounding tissue and the diaphragm and wedge resection of the right lung were performed. A wide range of the pleura and the diaphragm was coagulated with an argon beam coagulator. The patient is in good health without recurrence 4 years after the operation. CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical treatment should be considered for patients with dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma by needle biopsy when the lesions are limited.
Asunto(s)
Biopsia con Aguja/efectos adversos , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/cirugía , Diafragma , Neoplasias Hepáticas/patología , Neoplasias de los Músculos/cirugía , Neoplasias Pleurales/cirugía , Carcinoma Hepatocelular/secundario , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias de los Músculos/secundario , Siembra Neoplásica , Neoplasias Pleurales/secundario , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Despite rapid progress in methods for analyzing radiation effects, much remains to be learned about the mechanisms and processes of radiation-induced immunological dysfunction. Among 17,899 sera obtained from atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki, Japan, sera from 484 participants who complied with a reexamination for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were tested for antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) by indirect immunofluorescence, and autoantibodies against 2-oxo-acid dehydrogenase complex (2-OADC) by immunoblotting to investigate the prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Of these 484 sera, 28 (5.8%) were seropositive for AMA. The 484 participants were divided into three groups according to distance from the hypocenter: 72 who were exposed within 1999 m (closest group), 368 from 2000 to 5999 m (intermediate distant group), and 44 outside 6000 m (distant group). The positivity rates for AMA in these three groups were 6/72 (8.3%), 22/368 (6.0%), and 0/44 (0%), respectively (P =.08). Furthermore, high titers ( > 1:320) of AMA were observed in 3/6 (50%) AMA-positive sera from the closest group, in contrast to 4/22 (18%) from the intermediate distant group, although there was no significant correlation between AMA titer and distance from the hypocenter (P =.07). Of these 28 AMA-positive sera, 11 (39%) were from participants who had already been diagnosed with PBC, and 25 (89%) contained antibodies against at least one component of 2-OADC enzymes by immunoblotting. Therefore, the prevalence of PBC was estimated to be at least 615 cases per million (792 per million women). Our results suggest that the prevalence of PBC in atomic bomb survivors in Nagasaki is higher than that reported for the general population in Japan, and a further survey of the environmental factors, including radiation exposure, that predispose to PBC would be needed for understanding this disease of unknown etiology.
Asunto(s)
Cirrosis Hepática Biliar/epidemiología , Guerra Nuclear , Sobrevivientes , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Fosfatasa Alcalina/sangre , Relación Dosis-Respuesta en la Radiación , Femenino , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente Indirecta , Humanos , Japón/epidemiología , Cirrosis Hepática Biliar/etiología , Masculino , PrevalenciaAsunto(s)
Hiperlipoproteinemias , Lipoproteína(a)/sangre , Animales , Arteriosclerosis/etiología , Coagulación Sanguínea , División Celular , Trastornos Cerebrovasculares/etiología , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Células Espumosas , Humanos , Hiperlipoproteinemias/clasificación , Hiperlipoproteinemias/complicaciones , Músculo Liso Vascular/citología , Isquemia Miocárdica/etiología , Pronóstico , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
Although it has generally been assumed that protein kinase A (PKA) is essential for brown adipose tissue function, this has not as yet been clearly demonstrated. H89, an inhibitor of PKA, was used here to inhibit PKA activity. In cell extracts, it was confirmed that norepinephrine stimulated PKA activity, which was abolished by H89 treatment. In isolated brown adipocytes, H89 inhibited adrenergically induced thermogenesis (with an IC(50) of approx. 40 microM), and in cultured cells, adrenergically stimulated expression of the uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) gene was abolished by H89 (full inhibition with 50 microM). However, H89 has been reported to be an adrenergic antagonist on beta(1)/beta(2)-adrenoceptors (AR). Although adrenergic stimulation of thermogenesis and UCP1 gene expression are mediated via beta(3)-ARs, it was deemed necessary to investigate whether H89 also had antagonistic potency on beta(3)-ARs. It was found that EC(50) values for beta(3)-AR-selective stimulation of cAMP production (with BRL-37344) in brown adipose tissue membrane fractions and in intact cells were not affected by H89. Similarly, the EC(50) of adrenergically stimulated oxygen consumption was not affected by H89. As H89 also abolished forskolin-induced UCP1 gene expression, and potentiated selective beta(3)-AR-induced cAMP production, H89 must be active downstream of cAMP. Thus, no antagonism of H89 on beta(3)-ARs could be detected. We conclude that H89 can be used as a pharmacological tool for elucidation of the involvement of PKA in cellular signalling processes regulated via beta(3)-ARs, and that the results are concordant with adrenergic stimulation of thermogenesis and UCP1 gene expression in brown adipocytes being mediated via a PKA-dependent pathway.
Asunto(s)
Adipocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas Portadoras/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinasas Dependientes de AMP Cíclico/antagonistas & inhibidores , Inhibidores Enzimáticos/farmacología , Isoquinolinas/farmacología , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , Sulfonamidas , Adipocitos/metabolismo , Animales , Proteínas Portadoras/química , Células Cultivadas , Colforsina/antagonistas & inhibidores , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Activación Enzimática , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Canales Iónicos , Proteínas de la Membrana/química , Ratones , Proteínas Mitocondriales , Norepinefrina/antagonistas & inhibidores , Consumo de Oxígeno/efectos de los fármacos , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta 3/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Proteína Desacopladora 1RESUMEN
A 4-year-old boy admitted with exophthalmos was diagnosed as having acute myeloblastic leukemia with maturation (AML-M2). Chromosomal analysis (G-banding) showed t(8;15;21). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), spectral karyotyping (SKY), and nucleolar organizer region (NOR) staining suggested that this complex translocation might have resulted from stepwise translocation, namely an initial translocation between chromosomes 8 and 21, followed by a second translocation between der(21) and chromosome 15, rather than the other possibility of clockwise translocation. During chemotherapy, RT-PCR demonstrated the short form of AML1-MTG8 mRNA, in addition to chimeric mRNA of the usual length. Sequence analysis revealed that this shorter chimeric mRNA had resulted from deletion of a 250-bp sequence at the 5' end of MTG8. A literature search failed to reveal any similar cases of t(8;21) AML-M2 associated with this deletion of chimeric mRNA.
Asunto(s)
Cromosomas Humanos Par 15/genética , Cromosomas Humanos Par 21/genética , Cromosomas Humanos Par 8/genética , Leucemia Mieloide Aguda/genética , ARN Mensajero/genética , Translocación Genética , Secuencia de Bases , Preescolar , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
The authors report a rare case of chronic hepatitis in whom normalization of serum aminotransferases was associated with disappearance of serum hepatitic C virus (HCV)-ribonucleic acid (RNA), anti-U1 RNP, anti-La/SS-B, and anti-Scl-70 antibodies without treatment of interferon or corticosteroids. A 27-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, with positive anti-nuclear antibody, anti-U1 RNP, anti-La/SS-B, and anti-Scl-70 antibodies. Histopathologic examination of a liver biopsy specimen showed a periportal interface hepatitis with a predominantly lymphoplasmacytic necroinflammatory infiltrate and lobular hepatitis. After two-year treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), serum aminotransferases normalized and serum HCV-RNA, anti-U1 RNP, anti-La/SS-B, and anti-Scl-70 antibodies disappeared. It was unclear whether disappearance of HCV-RNA was spontaneous, due to some immunomodulating effects of UDCA, or other unknown mechanism, but host immune response may be associated with HCV elimination.
RESUMEN
The effects of resistant starches of beans on serum cholesterol and hepatic low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor mRNA in rats were investigated. Rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet with 150 g/kg corn starch (CS), 150 g/kg adzuki (Vigna angularis) starch (AS), 150 g/kg kintoki (Phaseolus vulgaris, variety) starch (KS), or 150 g/kg tebou (P. vulgaris, variety) starch (TS) for 4 wk. There were no significant differences in body weight among groups through the experimental period. The liver weight in the CS group was 1.1-1.2 times higher than that in the AS, KS, and TS groups. The cecum weight in the TS was 1.4 times higher than that in the CS group, and the cecal pH in the CS group was significantly higher than in the other groups. The serum total cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein + intermediate density lipoprotein + LDL-cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations in the bean starch groups were significantly lower than those in the CS group through the feeding period. The total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio in the bean starch groups was also significantly lower than that in the CS group at the end of the 4-wk feeding period. The hepatic cholesterol concentration in the TS group was significantly higher than in the CS group at the end of the 4-wk feeding period. The relative quantity of hepatic apo B mRNA in the AS group was 1.2 times higher than that in the CS group, and the hepatic LDL receptor mRNA levels in the AS and TS groups were 1.8-2.0 times higher than that in the CS group. The results of this study demonstrate that AS, KS, and TS lowered the serum total cholesterol level by enhancing the hepatic LDL receptor mRNA level.