Effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid on a murine model of diet-induced obesity.

The effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) on obesity were investigated using a murine model (diet-induced obese mice). Diet-induced obese mice were divided into 4 groups: a control group (C group), which was fed a high-fat diet; a low-5-ALA dose (10 mg/kg/day) group (10A group); a moderate-5-ALA dose (30 mg/kg/day) group (30A group); and a high-5-ALA dose (100 mg/kg/day) group (100A group). 5-ALA was administered by mixing the high fat diet for 8 weeks.

Stimulating macrophage activity in mice and humans by oral administration of quillaja saponin.

Quillaja saponin (QS) was examined for its immunostimulating effect on mice and humans after oral administration. Mice fed QS for 24 h significantly increased in chemotactic and phagocytosis activities of peritoneal macrophages. This enhancing effect in both activities continued for 4-d after QS administration.

In situ evaluation of podocin in normal and glomerular diseases.

Background: Mutations of the NPHS2 gene are responsible for autosomal-recessive steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Its product, podocin, faces the slit diaphragm area with its two ends in the cytoplasm of foot processes.

Methods: We generated rabbit polyclonal antibodies against conjugated peptides from human podocin N- and C-termini, and studied podocin and synaptopodin using kidney tissues of normal humans and those with glomerular diseases.