Development of a method for measuring water absorbency or release of food during mastication.

Water release or absorption of food is related to ease of swallowing for individuals with difficulties in mastication or swallowing. The aim of this study was to establish methods to mechanically measure and predict water releasing or absorptive tendency during mastication. There were ten ingredients used.

Physical properties of root crops treated with novel softening technology capable of retaining the shape, color, and nutritional value of foods.

Hard, difficult-to-eat root crops (carrots and burdock roots) were homogeneously softened by an enzyme permeation method so that they could be mashed easily by the tongue while retaining appearance, flavor, and nutrients. The appearance, color, and nutritional value of these foods were equivalent to those of normally cooked root crops of the same type. The firmness of the softened root crops was at least 100 times as low as normally cooked root crops and lower than some care food products for patients with swallowing disorders.

Characterisation of a novel softened rice product.

We developed a novel softened rice by permeating rice with enzymes that catalyse its decomposition. Herein, we characterised the softened rice (SR) and compared it to normal cooked rice (CR) and rice gruel (RG). SR resembled CR but not RG in appearance.

Effects of caloric intake on intestinal mucosal morphology and immune cells in rats treated with 5-Fluorouracil.

Anticancer drugs have been reported to damage the intestinal mucosa. We evaluated the effects of caloric intake on the mucosal morphology and immune cells in rats treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Rats were received a liquid diet plus 5-FU treatment for 8 days as follows: Low calorie group (25 kcal/day with 5-FU), Normal calorie group (50 kcal/day with 5-FU), and Control group (50 kcal/day with saline).

Changes in lymphocyte phenotypes and cytokine production by surgical stress in a rat small intestinal resection model.

Small intestinal resection rats are used widely as a malabsorption model, but the immunological changes are unclear. We examined the changes in systemic and mucosal immune status after a small intestinal resection in rats with a controlled nutritional status. Rats had 60% of their small intestine removed.

An antioxidative nutrient-rich enteral diet attenuates lethal activity and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Background: Oxidative stress is related to various diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, inflammatory disease, and arteriosclerosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate enhancement effect in serum antioxidant capacity obtained from an antioxidative nutrient-rich enteral diet (AO diet). We also investigated the ability of the AO diet to attenuate lethality, the production of oxidized products, the production of inflammatory cytokines, and liver injury using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injected mice.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of radiolabelled SNI-2011, a novel muscarinic receptor agonist, in healthy volunteers. Comprehensive understanding of absorption, metabolism and excretion using radiolabelled SNI-2011.

The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of SNI-2011 ((+/-)-cis-2-methylspiro[1,3-oxathiolane-5,3'-quinuclidine]monohydrochloride hemihydrate, cevimeline, CAS 153504-70-2), a novel muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist developed for the treatment of Sjögen's syndrome, were investigated in six healthy volunteers after a single oral administration of 14C-SNI-2011. After administration, plasma concentrations of the radioactivity and SNI-2011 reached to Cmax at approximately 2 h, and then decreased with t 1/2 of 9 and 4 h, respectively. Cmax and AUC0-infinity of the radioactivity in plasma were 2.

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the novel muscarinic receptor agonist SNI-2011 in rats and dogs.

In this study, the pharmacokinetics of SNI-2011 ((+/-)-cis-2-methylspiro[1,3-oxathiolane-5,3'-quinuclidine]monohydrochloride hemihydrate, cevimeline, CAS 153504-70-2), a novel muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist developed for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome, in rats and dogs were determined following intravenous or oral administration using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The in vitro metabolism of SNI-2011 was also evaluated with rat and dog liver microsomes. After oral administration, plasma concentrations of SNI-2011 reached to Cmax within 1 h in both species, suggesting that SNI-2011 was quickly absorbed, and then decreased with a t1/2 of 0.

Reduction of monocrotaline-induced hepatic injury by deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) in rats.

Background: Monocrotaline is a hepatotoxic agent which exerts predominant toxicity to central veins and centrilobular sinusoids. In this study, we investigated the effects of deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) on monocrotaline-induced hepatic injury in rats.

Methods: 100 mg/kg monocrotaline was gavaged to male rats twice with a 4-days' interval.

General pharmacological profile of the novel muscarinic receptor agonist SNI-2011, a drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. 4th communication: Effects on gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive systems and other effects.

A novel muscarinic receptor agonist, SNI-2011 ((+/-)-cis-2-methylspiro[1,3-oxathiolane-5,3'-quinuclidine] monohydrochloride hemihydrate, cevimeline, CAS 153504-70-2), is a candidate therapeutic drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. The general pharmacological properties of this drug on the gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive systems and other tissues were investigated in mice, rats guinea pigs, rabbits and dogs. 1.

General pharmacological profile of the novel muscarinic receptor agonist SNI-2011, a drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. 3rd communication: effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

A novel muscarinic receptor agonist, SNI-2011 ((+/-)-cis-2-methylspiro[1,3-oxathiolane- 5,3'-quinuclidine]monohydrochloride hemihydrate, cevimeline, CAS 153504-70-2), is a candidate therapeutic drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. The general pharmacological properties of this drug on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems were investigated in guinea pigs and dogs. SNI-2011 reduced the contractile force and beating rate of isolated right guinea pig atrium at 1 x 10(-6) mol/l or higher and 3 x 10(-6) mol/l or higher, respectively.

General pharmacological profile of the novel muscarinic receptor agonist SNI-2011, a drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. 2nd communication: effects on somatic nervous system and on autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle.

A novel muscarinic receptor agonist SNI-2011 ((+/-)-cis-2-methylspirol[1,3-oxathiolane-5,3'-quinuclidine] monohydrochloride hemihydrate, cevimeline, CAS 153504-70-2), is a candidate therapeutic drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. The general pharmacological properties of this drug on the somatic nervous system and on the autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle were investigated in mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and cats. 1.

General pharmacological profile of the novel muscarinic receptor agonist SNI-2011, a drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. 1st communication: effects on general behavior and central nervous system.

A novel muscarinic receptor agonist, SNI-2011 ((+/-)-cis-2-methylspiro[1,3-oxathiolane-5,3'-quinuclidine] monohydrochloride hemihydrate, cevimeline, CAS 153504-70-2), is a candidate therapeutic drug for xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome. The general pharmacological properties of this drug on general behavior and the central nervous system were investigated in mice, rats and cats. 1.