Necessity of daily 1000-IU vitamin D supplementation for maintaining a sufficient vitamin D status.

The changes in the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations after daily 1000-IU vitamin D intake for 3 months (3-month-VD), 6 months (6-month-VD) and then 6-month cessation of vitamin D in-take (6-month-VD cessation) were examined. The serum 25(OH)D levels in 11 male and 16 female subjects were 12.1±3.5 ng/mL at baseline, increased to 27.1±4.7 ng/mL at 3-month-VD, 28.5±5.1 ng/mL at 6-month-VD and decreased to 16.4±4.0 ng/mL at 6-month-VD cessation. The present study suggested that a vitamin D intake of 1000 IU/day is required to maintain the 25(OH) D concentration at 30 ng/mL or higher without vitamin D intoxication. J. Med. Invest. 69 : 135-140, February, 2022.

Inhibition of adult T-cell leukemia cell proliferation by polymerized proanthocyanidin from blueberry leaves through JAK proteolysis.

We have previously reported that the proanthocyanidin (PAC) fraction of blueberry leaf extract (BB-PAC) inhibits the proliferation of HTLV-1-infected adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) by inducing apoptosis. In the present study, we further analyzed the structure of BB-PAC and elucidated the molecular mechanism underlying the inhibitory function of HTLV-1-infected and ATL cells. After hot water extraction with fractionation with methanol-acetone, BB-PAC was found to be concentrated in fractions 4 to 7 (Fr7). The strongest inhibition of ATL cell growth was observed with Fr7, which contained the highest BB-PAC polymerization degree of 14. The basic structure of BB-PAC is mainly B-type bonds, with A-type bonds (7.1%) and cinchonain I units as the terminal unit (6.1%). The molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity observed around Fr7 against ATL cells was the degradation of JAK1 to 3 and the dephosphorylation of STAT3/5, which occurs by proteasome-dependent proteolysis, confirming that PAC directly binds to heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). JAK degradation was caused by proteasome-dependent proteolysis, and we identified the direct binding of PAC to HSP90. In addition, the binding of cochaperone ATPase homolog 1 (AHA1) to HSP90, which is required for activation of the cofactor HSP90, was inhibited by BB-PAC treatment. Therefore, BB-PAC inhibited the formation of the HSP90/AHA1 complex and promoted the degradation of JAK protein due to HSP90 dysfunction. These results suggest that the highly polymerized PAC component from blueberry leaves has great potential as a preventive and therapeutic agent against HTLV-1-infected and ATL cells.

Effects of daily 1,000-IU vitamin D-fortified milk intake on skeletal muscle mass, power, physical function and nutrition status in Japanese.

An intervention study was conducted to investigate the effects of daily 1,000-IU vitamin D-fortified milk intake on skeletal muscle mass, power, physical function and nutrition status in 26 healthy people and 8 older adults living in a nursing home. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level was 13.4 ±â€…0.8 ng / mL and it markedly increased to 29.6 ±â€…0.9 ng / mL after daily 1000-IU vitamin D-fortified milk intake for 6 months. Handgrip strength (kg) also significantly increased in the 21-50 years and total groups, and male subjects, and the timed up and go test significantly improved in the 21-50 years and total groups, and female subjects after 6-month vitamin D intake. However, there were no significant differences between baseline and post-treatment in the Barthel Index (BI), walking speed (m / sec) or skeletal muscle mass (kg, % of BW, kg / m2). Therefore, the present study suggested that vitamin D-fortified milk intake is effective at improving muscle strength and physical function in Japanese, although further studies are needed, particularly for older adults. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 249-255, August, 2021.

Subchronic toxicity evaluation of leaves from rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton) in rats.

Blueberry leaf may contain multiple compounds with beneficial effects. We conducted a 90-day toxicity study in rats to evaluate the safety of consuming the leaves of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum Aiton; RB species). Powdered leaves were administered daily by oral gavage at doses of 500, 1000, and 2500 mg/kg body weight to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats for 90 days. Treatment did not result in death or changes in the behavior and external appearance of the animals. No alterations were observed in hematological and serum chemical parameters, urinalysis, food consumption, body weight gain, or absolute and relative organ weights at the end of the treatment period, with the exception of some leukocyte percentages in male rats treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg blueberry leaf powder. The findings indicate that rabbiteye blueberry leaf is safe for consumption and should be investigated as a candidate functional food.

[Comparison of difficulty in airway intubation with aging. Study on 71 subjects who had an airway intubation 20-or-more years earlier].

BACKGROUND: Although there are reports targeting children with micrognathia, there is no report how orotracheal intubation difficulty of normal adult patients changes with aging. We surveyed orotracheal intubation episodes after more than 20 years from the initial surgery. METHODS: Seventy one patients underwent general anesthesia again after 23 years in average. Change of orotracheal intubation difficulty was checked retrospectively. The same anesthesiologist assessed 73.2% of cases. RESULTS: Intubation of 4 patients became more difficult, in one patient it became easier, and in the remainder did not change. There was no relation between the change in difficulty and presence or absence of maxillary incisor. Restricted neck mobility or opening of mouth caused by progressive musculoskeletal diseases made orotracheal intubation more difficult CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in adult patients, if there are no changes in the degree of opening mouth and neck mobility, almost all patients remained in the same situation regarding orotracheal intubation after 23 years in average.

[Anesthetic management of an adult patient with Fontan circulation for laparoscopic surgery].

Advances in the surgical and medical management of children with congenital heart disease have decreased the mortality of these patients. As a result, more patients are surviving into adulthood and are presenting for noncardiac surgery. We experienced a case of anesthetic management of an adult patient with Fontan circulation for laparoscopic surgery. A 29-year-old woman was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder stone. She had undergone single-ventricle procedures for a tricuspid atresia, and at the time of the laparoscopic surgery, her cardiac physiology was Fontan circulation. To reduce the influence of the increased intraabdominal pressure on hemodynamics, the insufflation pressure was maintained at 8 cmH2O during pneumoperitoneum. To reduce systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, milrinon was administered intravenously. Throughout the operation, including the period of pneumoperitoneum, the hemodynamic status remained stable, and adequate oxygenation and ventilation were maintained. The surgery ended uneventfully, and the trachea was extubated in the operating room. In anesthetic management of patients with Fontan circulation for laparoscopic surgery, it is important to understand the physiology of the circulation, and consider the influence of the pneumoperitoneum on the hemodynamics.

Successful immunoglobulin treatment for fulminant myocarditis and serial analysis of serum thioredoxin: a case report.

A 31-year-old woman suspected to have acute myocarditis was admitted to hospital and was managed with intra-aortic balloon pumping and a percutaneous cardiopulmonary support system because of sustained ventricular tachycardia. After immunoglobulin treatment, cardiac function and systematic inflammation were improved. The left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy revealed massive necrosis and degeneration of myocardial cells, and extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells. The clinicopathology of this patient was thought to be fulminant myocarditis. Serial serum thioredoxin (TRX) analysis showed that the serum level was high during the acute phase, and decreased during the chronic phase. Immunohistochemistry for TRX in the biopsy samples showed that inflammatory cells and cardiomyocytes were positively stained.