SLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 genotyping by the PCR-SSOP-Luminex method.

A simple and novel genotyping method was developed to detect alleles at the swine leukocyte antigen (SLA)-DRB1 and -DQB1 class II loci by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-fluorescently labeled sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOPs) and Luminex 100 xMAP detection. The PCR-SSOP-Luminex method exhibited accuracy of 95% for both SLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 in 6 homozygous and 16 heterozygous pig samples as confirmed by sequencing the PCR products of the same samples. In addition, 12 low-resolution SLA class II haplotypes consisting of 7 and 9 DRB1 and DQB1 alleles were identified, respectively, in one population of 283 Landrace pigs. This genotyping method facilitates the rapid and accurate identification of two- or four-digit alleles at the SLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 loci.

Stronger suppression of plasma cholesterol and enhancement of the fecal excretion of steroids by a buckwheat protein product than by a soy protein isolate in rats fed on a cholesterol-free diet.

We investigated the effects of a buckwheat protein product (BWP), soy protein isolate (SPI) and casein on the plasma cholesterol level and fecal steroid excretion in rats fed on a cholesterol-free diet. The consumption of BWP suppressed plasma cholesterol by enhancing the fecal excretion of both neutral and acidic steroids. These effects of BWP were stronger than those of SPI.

A buckwheat protein product suppresses gallstone formation and plasma cholesterol more strongly than soy protein isolate in hamsters.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a buckwheat protein product (BWP) on plasma cholesterol, gallbladder bile composition and fecal steroid excretion in hamsters fed diets with 5 g/kg cholesterol. Diets also contained 200 g/kg of casein, soy protein isolate (SPI) or BWP as protein sources. After 2 wk, plasma and liver concentrations of cholesterol in the hamsters fed BWP were significantly lower than those in the hamsters fed casein and SPI. The molar proportion of cholesterol in gallbladder bile was significantly lower in the BWP group than in the other groups, whereas that of bile acids was slightly higher in the BWP group (P

Consumption of a buckwheat protein extract retards 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats.

Female rats were examined for the effects of feeding buckwheat protein extract (BWPE) on the development of mammary tumor caused by administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene. The percentage of rats with palpable mammary tumors and serum estradiol were lower in the BWPE-fed animals than the casein-fed ones, implying that BWPE intake retarded the mammary carcinogenesis by lowering serum estradiol.

Muscle hypertrophy in rats fed on a buckwheat protein extract.

Growing rats were examined for the influence of a buckwheat protein diet on muscle weight and protein. In experiment 1, the rats were fed on a diet containing either casein or a buckwheat protein extract (BWPE) as the protein source (10%, 20% or 30%) for 5 wk. The relative weights (g per kg of body wt) of the gastrocnemius, plantaris and soleus muscles were higher in the BWPE-fed animals than in the casein-fed ones, but were unaffected by the dietary level of protein. These differences were not associated with growth. In experiment 2, the rats were fed on either a casein or BWPE diet at the 20% protein level for 5 wk. BWPE intake significantly elevated the gastrocnemius muscle weight, carcass protein and water, and reduced carcass fat. These results demonstrate that BWPE consumption causes muscle hypertrophy, elevates carcass protein and water, and reduces body fat.

Consumption of buckwheat protein lowers plasma cholesterol and raises fecal neutral sterols in cholesterol-Fed rats because of its low digestibility.

Buckwheat protein product (BWP) has a strong hypocholesterolemic activity in rats fed a cholesterol-enriched diet. In this study, we examined the influence of BWP on fecal excretion of sterols and nitrogen in rats fed a diet containing 5 g/kg cholesterol and 1.25 g/kg sodium cholate, and we examined whether the cholesterol-lowering activity of BWP is due to its low digestibility. In Experiment 1, rats fed BWP for 3 wk had significantly lower concentrations of plasma cholesterol and enhanced excretion of fecal total neutral sterols and nitrogen compared with rats fed casein. There was a significant correlation between fecal total neutral sterols and nitrogen (r = 0.89, P < 0.01). Fecal excretion of acidic sterols was unaffected by BWP. In Experiment 2, plasma cholesterol in rats fed trypsin-digested BWP for 2 wk was significantly higher than that in rats fed intact BWP. In Experiment 3, rats were fed BWP, low-molecular-weight fraction of the digest of BWP (LMF ) or high-molecular-weight fraction of the digest of BWP (HMF ) for 3 wk. Plasma cholesterol was lower in the BWP group than in the LMF group (P < 0.05), whereas that in the HMF group was intermediate. The in vitro digestibility of BWP with pepsin and pancreatin was significantly lower than that of casein. The results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effect of BWP is mediated by higher fecal excretion of neutral sterols and that lower digestibility of BWP is at least partially responsible for the effect.

Selective inhibition of collagen accumulation by N-(3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic acid (N-5') in granulation tissue.

The effect of topically applied N-5', an inhibitor of chemical mediator release from mast cells, on the carrageenin-air-pouch inflammation was studied. The formation of granulation tissue, the accumulation of exudate and the number of infiltrating cells were significantly reduced by the treatment with N-5' (100 mg/kg). The collagen content in granulation tissue was dose-dependently reduced without affecting the noncollagen protein and DNA content by treatment with N-5'. At a dose of 100 mg/kg of N-5', prolyl hydroxylase activity in the tissue was significantly decreased. The selective inhibition of collagen accumulation in granulation tissue resulted from reduction of collagen biosynthesis in vivo. N-5' did not directly inhibit collagen synthesis by diploid fibroblasts, but inhibited fibroblast proliferation in culture. Such results indicate that one of the inhibitory mechanisms of collagen accumulation by N-5' in inflamed sites may involve the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation.