2-kDa hyaluronan ameliorates human facial wrinkles through increased dermal collagen density related to promotion of collagen remodeling.

Background/aims: Hyaluronan (HA) oligosaccharides are involved in several biological processes, primarily collagen remodeling and wound healing. Collagen remodeling is retarded in aging skin and causes wrinkles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2-kDa HA oligosaccharides (HA2k) on wrinkles by permeation through the stratum corneum and promotion of collagen remodeling.

Egg White Hydrolysate Retains the Nutritional Value of Proteins and Is Quickly Absorbed in Rats.

Egg white protein has a high net protein utilisation, with a score of 100 in the amino acid rating system. Although the enzymatic breakdown of egg white yields hydrolysates that are rapidly absorbed and various physiological activities can be expected from them, flavouring egg white to meet taste requirements as a food has been a difficult challenge. Herein, we developed a high-molecular-weight egg white hydrolysate and compared the absorption rate and nutritional value of the hydrolysate with those of egg white proteins obtained from raw materials, whey proteins, and hydrolysates, also known as high-quality proteins.

Eggshell membrane protein can be absorbed and utilised in the bodies of rats.

Objective: Eggshell membranes, the thin film lining the insides of eggshells, are constituted mostly from protein (eggshell membrane protein, ESM-P). The digestibility and dietary net protein utility of ESM-P are not known. ESM-P functions as a barrier to prevent foreign matter from reaching the egg white and yolk, so it would be expected not to decompose easily by digestion when ingested.

Absorption of Orally Administered Hyaluronan.

Hyaluronan (HA) has been utilized as a supplement. However, the absorption of orally administrated HA remains controversial. The degradation and absorption of HA in the intestine were investigated in this study.

Oral administration of high molecular weight hyaluronan (900 kDa) controls immune system via Toll-like receptor 4 in the intestinal epithelium.

Low molecular weight hyaluronan enhances or induces inflammation through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4). However, the effects of high molecular weight hyaluronan (HA900) on TLR-4 are unknown. In this study, HA900 (900 kDa) was administered orally to MRL-lpr/lpr mice, a Th-1-type autoimmune disease model.

Deprotonation in anodic methoxylation of fluoroethyl phenyl sulfides using site-isolated heterogeneous bases.

On the basis of the concept of site isolation in electrochemical reactions, we have successfully demonstrated acceleration of the deprotonation step in anodic methoxylation of fluoroethyl phenyl sulfides using silica gel supported bases.

Kolbe carbon-carbon coupling electrosynthesis using solid-supported bases.

We have developed a novel electrolytic system for Kolbe carbon-carbon coupling electrosynthesis based on the acid-base reaction between carboxylic acids as a substrate and solid-supported bases. On the basis of the electrolytic system, Kolbe electrolysis of various carboxylic acids was successfully carried out to provide the corresponding homocoupling products in moderate to excellent yields.

The keratan sulfate disaccharide Gal(6S03) beta1,4-GlcNAc(6S03) modulates interleukin 12 production by macrophages in murine Thy-1 type autoimmune disease.

It has been reported that disaccharides of the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), heparin, or heparan sulfate suppress the production of cytokines. Therefore, we examined the effects of GAGs (keratan sulfate, hyaluronan, chondroitin, chondroitin sulfate, and heparin sulfate) disaccharides on production of interleukin (IL)-12, a pivotal cytokine in the Th-1 type immune system. Among the GAG disaccharides, only a keratan sulfate disaccharide, Gal(6-SO(3))-GlcNAc(6-SO(3)) (L4), suppressed IL-12 production in macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharides and interferon-gamma.