Availability of dietary secoisolariciresinol diglucoside on borderline blood cholesterol level in men: a randomized, parallel, controlled, double-blinded clinical trial.

Borderline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (120-139 mg/dl) increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the use of functional dietary nutrients is expected to control blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary secoisolariciresinol diglucoside on blood cholesterol in healthy adults with borderline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

Effects of Oleanolic Acid Derived from Wine Pomace on Periodontopathic Bacterial Growth in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.

Periodontal disease is caused by oral pathogenic bacteria and is associated with systemic disease and frailty. Therefore, its prevention is crucial in extending healthy life expectancy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of orally administered oleanolic acid, extracted from wine pomace, on periodontopathic bacterial growth in healthy individuals.

Pharmacokinetics and effect of maslinic acid with physical exercise on grip strength and trunk muscle mass in healthy Japanese individuals.

Age-related changes in physical function are closely associated with daily activity impairment among the elderly. Continuous maslinic acid intake may improve skeletal muscle mass; however, the concentration-dependent benefits of maslinic acid for physical functionality remain unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the bioavailability of maslinic acid and examined the effect of maslinic acid intake on skeletal muscle and quality of life in the healthy Japanese elderly.

Appearance of Intact Molecules of Dietary Ceramides Prepared from Soy Sauce Lees and Rice Glucosylceramides in Mouse Plasma.

Although the beneficial effects of dietary sphingolipids have recently been reported, the mechanism of their intestinal absorption has yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, the absorption and metabolism of dietary ceramides and glucosylceramides were evaluated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis in the plasma of mice after a single oral administration. Ceramide molecules prepared from soy sauce lees (mainly composed of phytosphingosine and its derivatives) were undetectable or minor compounds in the plasma of control mice but appeared 1-6 h after administration.

Dietary ceramide 2-aminoethylphosphonate, a marine sphingophosphonolipid, improves skin barrier function in hairless mice.

Sphingolipids are one of the major components of cell membranes and are ubiquitous in eukaryotic organisms. Ceramide 2-aminoethylphosphonate (CAEP) of marine origin is a unique and abundant sphingophosphonolipid with a C-P bond. Although molluscs such as squids and bivalves, containing CAEP, are consumed globally, the dietary efficacy of CAEP is not understood.

Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Dampens Allergic Rhinitis via Eosinophilic Production of the Anti-Allergic Lipid Mediator 15-Hydroxyeicosapentaenoic Acid in Mice.

The metabolism and generation of bioactive lipid mediators are key events in the exertion of the beneficial effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in the regulation of allergic inflammation. Here, we found that dietary linseed oil, which contains high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) dampened allergic rhinitis through eosinophilic production of 15-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (15-HEPE), a metabolite of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Lipidomic analysis revealed that 15-HEPE was particularly accumulated in the nasal passage of linseed oil-fed mice after the development of allergic rhinitis with the increasing number of eosinophils.

Analysis of Chemical Structures of Glucosylceramides from Rice and Other Foodstuffs.

Sphingolipids recently attract more attentions because of their distinctiveness on structures and expected functions. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is one of the most powerful methods for the identification of chemical structures of sphingolipids. Glucosylceramides prepared from various foodstuffs including rice are generally used for functional foods and their structures are quite different from mammals.

The Anti-Arthritis Effect of Olive-Derived Maslinic Acid in Mice is Due to its Promotion of Tissue Formation and its Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

Scope: A previous study demonstrated that intake of olive pomace extract containing maslinic acid (MA), a triterpene, effectively prevents and alleviates arthritis in animals and humans. Here, the molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-arthritis effect of MA have been elucidated by determining gene expression changes induced by olive-derived MA intake in collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) mice.

Methods And Results: Mice are divided into the untreated (CT), CAIA (CA), and CAIA administered MA (CA + MA) groups.

Effects of Plant Sphingolipids on Inflammatory Stress in Differentiated Caco-2 Cells.

To determine the mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of plant sphingolipids, especially plant glucosylceramide (GlcCer), the effects of plant sphingolipids on inflammatory stress in differentiated Caco-2 cells were compared to those of a sphingolipid of animal origin, galactosylceramide (GalCer). Addition of GlcCer or GalCer suppressed cell injury caused lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and TNF-α-induced inflammatory stress and induction of apoptosis in differentiated Caco-2 cells. There was no difference in the suppressive effect between GlcCer and GalCer.

Maslinic acid improves quality of life by alleviating joint knee pain in the elderly: results from a community-based pilot study.

Chronic knee joint pain is common in the elderly and associated with poor quality of life. This study, an open-label clinical trial, aimed to examine how the intake on a daily basis of maslinic acid-containing product (30 mg maslinic acid) on 29 elderly residents (mean 70.7 ± 10.

Selective Absorption of Dietary Sphingoid Bases from the Intestine via Efflux by P-Glycoprotein in Rats.

Various physiological functions of dietary sphingolipids, such as preventing inflammation and improving the skin barrier function, have been recently demonstrated. The sphingolipid most commonly used as a foodstuff is glucosylceramide from plant sources, which is composed of sphingoid bases that are distinctive from those found in mammals. Although the structure of sphingoid bases in higher plants is more complicated than the structure of those in mammals, the fate of dietary sphingolipids of plant origin is still not understood.

Effects of Dietary Plant-origin Glucosylceramide on Colon Cytokine Contents in DMH-treated Mice.

In this study, the effects of dietary plant-origin glucosylceramide (GlcCer) on colon cytokine contents were investigated in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-treated mice, a model of colon cancer. DMH treatment induced the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokaines. Dietary GlcCer suppressed ACF formation and cytokine production in these mice.

Maslinic acid in olive fruit alleviates mild knee joint pain and improves quality of life by promoting weight loss in the elderly.

Consumption of olives ( L.) is associated with a low incidence of inflammation-related diseases. Olive fruit is rich in bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoids, mainly maslinic acid.

Dietary Cerebroside from Sea Cucumber (Stichopus japonicus): Absorption and Effects on Skin Barrier and Cecal Short-Chain Fatty Acids.

Sphingolipids from marine sources have attracted more attention recently because of their distinctive structures and expected functions. In this study, the content and components of cerebroside from sea cucumber Stichopus japonicus were analyzed. The absorption of cerebroside from S.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of pentacyclic triterpenoids maslinic acid through NF-κB inactivation.

Scope: Consumption of olives (Olea europaea L.), including table olives and oil, is associated with low incidence of inflammation-related diseases. In this study, the effects of maslinic acid (MA), the main constituent of olive pomace, on the expression of genes and proteins involved in inflammatory activity in RAW 264.

Effects of Dietary Plant-Origin Glucosylceramide on Bowel Inflammation in DSS-Treated Mice.

The effects of dietary plant-origin glucosylceramide (GlcCer) on symptoms similar to those of inflammatory bowel diseasewere investigated in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-treated mice. Dietary GlcCer suppressed decreases in body weight due to DSS administration. To determine its effects on the colon, we examined its surface under a microscope following toluidine blue staining.

Determination of carbon isotopic measurement conditions for ceramide in skin using gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

The ceramide (Cer) content of skin and glucosylceramide (GlcCer) intake affect skin moisture conditions, but their mutual relation in skin remains unclear. For clarification of that mutual relation, carbon stable isotopes ((12)C and (13)C) are useful as a tracer. However, carbon isotopic measurement has not been applied to the study of clarifying their skin moisturizing effects.

α-Linolenic acid suppresses cholesterol and triacylglycerol biosynthesis pathway by suppressing SREBP-2, SREBP-1a and -1c expression.

α-Linolenic acid (ALA), a major fatty acid in flaxseed oil, has multiple functionalities such as anti-cardiovascular and anti-hypertensive activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of ALA on lipid metabolism and studied the possible mechanisms of its action in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes using DNA microarray analysis. From a total of 34,325 genes in the DNA chip, 87 genes were down-regulated and 185 genes were up-regulated at least twofold in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells treated with 300 μM ALA for a week, 5-12 days after induction of cell differentiation, compared to ALA-untreated 3T3-L1 adipocytes (control).

Dietary sphingolipids improve skin barrier functions via the upregulation of ceramide synthases in the epidermis.

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous in eukaryotic organisms and are significant components in foods. It has been reported that treatment with sphingolipids prevents colon cancer, improves skin barrier function and suppresses inflammatory responses. However, the mechanisms for those effects of dietary sphingolipids are not well understood.

Inhibitory effect of topical maize glucosylceramide on skin photoaging in UVA-irradiated hairless mice.

We investigated the effect of topical application of the glucosylceramide prepared from maize on photoaged mice. Six-week-old hairless female mice were swabbed on the back with glucosylceramide solution or vehicle, following UVA irradiation for 9 weeks. Wrinkle formation was evaluated at 3, 6, and 9 weeks by skin replica analysis by using a three-dimensional (3-D) imaging system.

Oral glucosylceramide reduces 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene induced inflammatory response in mice by reducing TNF-alpha levels and leukocyte infiltration.

Sphingolipids are constituents of cellular membranes and play important roles as second messengers mediating cell functions. As significant components in foods, sphingolipids have been proven to be critical for human health. Moreover, diverse metabolic intermediates of sphingolipids are known to play key roles both in proinflammatory and in anti-inflammatory effects.

Flaxseed lignan lowers blood cholesterol and decreases liver disease risk factors in moderately hypercholesterolemic men.

The effects of flaxseed lignan (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside [SDG]) intake on hypercholesterolemia and liver disease risk factors in moderately hypercholesterolemic men were investigated. In a previous study, we reported that SDG attenuates high-fat, diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in mice. Here, we report a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled study in moderately hypercholesterolemic men in which we investigated the hypothesis that oral administration of SDG (20 or 100 mg) would decrease the level of blood cholesterol and liver disease risk factors induced by hypercholesterolemia in humans.

Analysis of glucosylceramides from various sources by liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry is one of the most powerful methods for the identification and detection of chemical structures of lipids. In this study, we attempted to identify the chemical structures of glucosylceramides from maize, rice, mushroom (maitake) and sea cucumber by liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry. For structural analysis of glucosylceramides, [M+H]+, [M+H-18]+ or [M+H-162]+ in the positive scan mode was used for MS/MS analysis to obtain product ion spectra.

Identification of glucosylceramides containing sphingatrienine in maize and rice using ion trap mass spectrometry.

We characterized the glucosylceramide moieties from maize and rice using liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry. Glucosylceramides containing 4,8-sphingadienine (d18:2) acylated to hydroxy-fatty acids were detected as the predominant molecules both in maize and in rice. In addition, 4-hydroxy-8-sphingenine (t18:1) and sphingatrienine (d18:3) were found in maize and rice glucosylceramides, and in the case of rice, sphingenine (d18:1) was also detected.

Intestinal absorption of dietary maize glucosylceramide in lymphatic duct cannulated rats.

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous in all eukaryotic organisms. Various physiological functions of dietary sphingolipids, such as preventing colon cancer and improving the skin barrier function, have been recently reported. One of the common sphingolipids used as a foodstuff is glucosylceramide from plant sources, which is composed of sphingoid bases distinct from those of mammals.