Hydroxypropylation of high-amylose maize starch changes digestion and fermentation-dependent parameters in rats.

It was examined whether the physiological effects of high-amylose maize starch (HAMS) are influenced by hydroxypropylation. Rats were fed one of the following three diets: an AIN-93-based diet with waxy maize starch (WMS) as a starch source, or this diet with 150 g of WMS replaced by either HAMS or hydroxypropylated HAMS (HP-HAMS). The activities of amylase in bile-pancreatic juice and sucrose, maltase and isomaltase of the jejunum and ileum were not affected by diet, but the digestibility of HAMS was decreased by hydroxypropylation. The amounts of SCFA in caecal content and H2 excreted in the breath and flatus for HAMS were decreased by hydroxypropylation. Plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose and insulin concentrations were not affected by diet. On the basis of PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles, the similarity in caecal bacteria population of the HP-HAMS group and HAMS group was low, but that of the HP-HAMS and WMS groups was high. The amount of caecal IgA was not affected by hydroxypropylation, but those in the HAMS and HP-HAMS groups were greater than that in the WMS group. Plasma and liver concentrations of TAG and cholesterol for HAMS were not affected by hydroxypropylation. These results show that the small intestinal digestibility and fermentation-dependent parameters such as caecal SCFA and H2 productions and caecal bacterial profile of HAMS were affected by hydroxypropylation, but parameters of glucose metabolism such as GLP-1 and insulin, those of lipid metabolism such as plasma TAG and cholesterol and the amount of caecal IgA were not.

Mitochondrial common deletion mutation and extrinsic skin ageing in German and Japanese women.

The mitochondrial common deletion (CD) mutation is induced by oxidative stress. One main source of oxidative stress is the error-prone process of the respiratory chain located in the mitochondria. Another important source is the exposure to environmental factors, which further induces oxidative stress in the cells. For human skin, the primary damaging environmental factor is ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is able to induce CD mutations and the characteristic extrinsic skin ageing signs. Traditionally, levels of UV exposure differ between German and Japanese populations, as tanned skin represents beauty and health in Western cultures, whereas photo-protected skin is considered ideal in Asia. We hypothesize that (i) this cultural-related UV exposure pattern might be reflected by CD concentrations in environmentally exposed skin and (ii) CD concentrations in environmentally exposed areas might be associated with the manifestation of extrinsic skin ageing. In this study, we determined the concentration of CD in skin from the neck (environmentally exposed area) and the buttock (environmentally protected area) of 22 German and 46 Japanese women between 30 and 70 years of age. We evaluated skin ageing signs by a validated clinical score, and exposure to environmental factors, such as UV exposure and smoking, was assessed using a questionnaire-based interview. Higher levels of CD were detected in neck skin than in buttock skin in both German and Japanese women. CD also increased with age in the neck skin. German women had higher CD concentrations in the neck skin than Japanese women. The CD concentrations in the buttock skin samples were similar in both populations. These findings suggest higher environmental UV exposure resulted in higher levels of CD in the skin of German women compared with Japanese women. However, only in Japanese women were the signs of extrinsic skin ageing associated with higher CD concentrations in the neck skin, in agreement with the hypothesis (ii). In German women, we did not find this latter association, which might be due to reaching a maximum level of CD, beyond which cells undergo negative selection and are lost to the population samples. In conclusion, under some conditions, there seems to be an association between the CD mutation concentration and extrinsic skin ageing, but this may be modified by cellular and tissue processes which affect the sampling rate for CD mutation concentrations and prevent a statistical association with extrinsic skin ageing.

Successful treatment of psoriasis vulgaris with targeted narrow-band ultraviolet B therapy using a new flat-type fluorescent lamp.

Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy is widely used for refractory skin diseases. Targeted phototherapy is now being used to reduce the number of sessions and to avoid exposing normal skin. We developed a targeted NB-UVB therapy using a flat-type lamp emitting a wavelength similar to that of the TL-01 fluorescent lamp. Six Japanese patients with psoriasis were recruited and treated with the flat-type NB-UVB device with an initial dose of 70% of the minimal erythema dose, with a 20% increase at each subsequent session. The plaque severity score was determined. All lesions of the tested patients were responsive to NB-UVB therapy using the flat-type lamp. The mean percent reduction of the lesion was 58.3 ± 17.7%. The mean cumulative dose was 20.8 ± 10.8 J/cm². No side effects were observed during treatment. The flat-type targeted NB-UVB device is compact and convenient, and highly effective for the treatment of limited psoriasis lesions.

Efficacy of 1-mm minigrafts in treating vitiligo depends on patient age, disease site and vitiligo subtype.

Vitiligo vulgaris is a refractory skin disease. Treatment modalities include topical steroids, phototherapy, suction blister roof grafts and cellular grafting techniques. Adverse effects may occur, however, and some cases remain unresponsive to treatment. To evaluate the efficacy of small (1-mm) punch minigraft therapy in relation to patient age, disease site, disease duration and vitiligo subtype. We used a recently developed disposable 1.0-mm punch apparatus to perform minigraft therapy in 20 patients with either generalized (n = 4), segmental (n = 9) or limited (n = 7) vitiligo, and evaluated the area and rate of repigmentation in relation to patient age, disease site, disease duration and vitiligo subtype. The area of repigmentation was significantly greater in patients with segmental vitiligo (n = 9) than in those with generalized vitiligo (n = 4). Repigmentation covered a broader area and occurred more quickly in patients under 15 years of age than in those over 20 years of age (n = 9). Disease duration did not affect the repigmentation rate. The results of the present study suggest that 1-mm minigrafts are effective for treating patients with vitiligo. Better results occurred in patients under 15 years of age, patients with facial grafts, and patients with segmental and limited subtypes.