Fermented barley and soybean (BS) mixture enhances intestinal barrier function in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic or relapsing immune system activation and inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract. The lack of safety and efficacy of standard therapies, the use of food supplements for managing IBD is increasing, and many studies have reported that various food supplements provide many beneficial effects for the IBD. METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the anti-colitis effects of dietary supplementation with a fermented barley and soybean mixture (BS) on intestinal inflammation using a murine model of IBD. Female C57BL/6 mice were administered with either BS (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (PBS) control through oral gavages for 3 days and received 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) drinking water to induce colitis. Mice body weight was measured every two days and disease activity index (DAI) score was determined on Day 15; mice were sacrificed and colons were analyzed by H & E staining and RT-PCR. We also measured intestinal barrier function in vitro using DSS-treated Caco-2 cells by assessing ZO-1 immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting and in vivo by measuring serum level of FITC-Dextran and by performing bacteria culture from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) extract. The gut microbiota was examined by real time PCR using fecal DNA. RESULTS: We found that BS alleviated the severity of colitis in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model, and suppressed levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in colonic tissue. Moreover, BS prevented epithelial barrier dysfunction, inducing an increase of tight junction protein levels in colonic tissues, BS also inhibited FITC-dextran permeability, and suppressed bacterial translocation to MLNs. In addition, BS increased the levels of Lactobacilli and Bacteroides, which have anti-inflammatory properties. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that BS has protective roles against inflammatory bowel disease through changes in inflammatory activity, tight junction protein expression, and gut microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis.

Differential effects of powdered whole soy milk and its hydrolysate on antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic response to high-fat treatment in C57BL/6N mice.

This study was performed to investigate the beneficial effects of powdered whole soy milk and its hydrolysate, compared to the processed soy milk and its hydrolysate, on the alteration of lipid metabolism and their possible effects on antiobesity in C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat and -cholesterol diet. The mice were divided into a control group (20% casein) and four test groups for 5 weeks: soy milk (SM, 20% soy milk protein), soy milk hydrolysate (SMH, 20% hydrolyzed soy milk protein), whole soy milk (WSM, 20% whole soy milk protein), and whole soy milk hydrolysate (WSMH, 20% whole soy milk hydrolysate protein). The body weight and adipose tissue weights were significantly lowered in SMH, WSM, and WSMH groups compared to the control group despite providing an isoenergetic diet. Plasma lipid concentrations and hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities were significantly lowered in all soy milk groups; however, the hepatic lipid contents and malic enzyme (ME) activity were only significantly lowered in the WSM and WSMH groups, compared to the control group. Data suggest that powdered WSM or WSMH appears to be more beneficial than SM or SMH in overall antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic properties following in the order WSMH/WSM, SMH, SM, and casein.

Activation of the shoulder musculature during pendulum exercises and light activities.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-group, repeated-measures design. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate electromyographic (EMG) signal amplitude in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and deltoid muscles during pendulum exercises and light activities in a group of healthy subjects. BACKGROUND: There are numerous rehabilitation protocols used after rotator cuff repair. One of the most commonly used exercises in these protocols is the pendulum. Patients can easily perform these exercises incorrectly, and may also perform light activities of daily living without knowing that they may be putting excessive stress on the repair. The effect of improperly performed pendulum exercises and light activities after rotator cuff repair is unknown. METHODS: Muscle activity was recorded in 13 subjects performing pendulum exercises incorrectly and correctly in both large (51-cm) and small (20-cm) diameters, and while typing, drinking, and brushing their teeth. RESULTS: Incorrect and correct large pendulums and drinking elicited more than 15% maximum voluntary isometric contraction in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The supraspinatus EMG signal amplitude was greater during large, incorrectly performed pendulums than during those performed correctly. Both correct and incorrect large pendulums resulted in statistically higher muscle activity in the supraspinatus than the small pendulums. CONCLUSION: Larger pendulums may require more force than is desirable early in rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair.