Drinking Molecular Hydrogen Water Is Beneficial to Cardiovascular Function in Diet-Induced Obesity Mice.

Molecular hydrogen (MH) reportedly exerts therapeutic effects against inflammatory diseases as a suppressor of free radical chain reactions. Here, the cardiovascular protective effects of the intake of molecular hydrogen water (MHW) were investigated using high-fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice. MHW was prepared using supplier sticks and degassed water as control.

Protective effects of fermented rice vinegar sediment (Kurozu moromimatsu) in a diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma animal model.

Kurozu moromimatsu is the sediment of Kurozu, a jar-fermented Japanese black vinegar produced from unpolished rice. Here, we examined the protective effects of Kurozu moromimatsu in a diethylnitrosamine-induced model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Thirty-two F344 rats were divided into two groups; the control group received basal CE-2 diet, and the Kurozu moromimatsu group received CE-2 diet containing Kurozu moromimatsu.

Protective effects of Kurozu and Kurozu Moromimatsu on dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis.

Background: Kurozu, a traditional Japanese black vinegar made from unpolished rice, and Kurozu Moromimatsu (Kurozu-M), its sediment, are both consumed in Japan as health foods or supplements. However, it is not known whether they have anti-colitis activity.

Aims: We examined the protective effects of Kurozu and Kurozu-M in an animal model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis.

Validation of the Friedewald Equation for Evaluation of Plasma LDL-Cholesterol.

In most clinical laboratories, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is usually estimated indirectly with the Friedewald equation or directly with the N-geneous assay. We assessed LDL-cholesterol values obtained by both methods to find an appropriate fasting period and to assess the influence of the energy content of the last meal. Blood samples were taken from 28 healthy volunteers who had consumed a standard meal (107 g of carbohydrate, 658 kcal) followed by a fasting period of 12 and 18 h, or a high-energy meal (190 g of carbohydrate, 1011 kcal) with a fasting period of 12 h.

Kurozu moromimatsu inhibits tumor growth of Lovo cells in a mouse model in vivo.

Objective: In Japan, rice vinegar that has been matured and fermented for years in earthenware jars is considered a health food with anticolon cancer action. It is divided into the liquid component (Kurozu) and the sediment (Kurozu moromimatsu), which contains large amounts of organic materials and minerals. The effect of Kurozu moromimatsu (Kurozu-M) on cancer has not yet been examined.

Direct nitric oxide release from nipradilol in human coronary arterial smooth muscle cells observed with fluorescent NO probe and NO-electrode.

BACKGROUND:: Nipradilol (3,4-dihydro-8-[2-hydroxy-3-isopropyl-amino]propoxy-3-nitroxy-2-H-1-benzopyran), a potent non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, has been shown to increase NO production. The mechanisms are up-regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and direct release of NO from nipradilol. The process of direct NO release from nipradilol requires a reductase, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) in some cells but non-enzymatic NO release was reported in pig coronary arteries.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase knockout mouse and low-density lipoprotein oxidation.

We have presented experimental procedures that examine macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation using Ham's F-10 medium. By comparing iNOS-/- and iNOS+/+ macrophages, an antioxidant effect for NO and a prooxidant effect for IFN-gamma were demonstrated. The methods outlined here should allow for the investigation on the mechanism of in vitro LDL oxidation and how the macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation process is affected by various factors, one of which was the effect of iNOS induction by IFN-gamma.

Influence of apolipoprotein E phenotype on metabolism of lipids and apolipoproteins after plant stanol ester ingestion in Japanese subjects.

Objective: We investigated the effect of apolipoprotein E phenotype on changes in plasma levels of lipids and apoproteins by plant stanol ester (PSE) ingestion in Japanese subjects whose diet is low in fat and cholesterol.

Methods And Results: The effect of PSE-containing spread was studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. One hundred five healthy volunteers were enrolled for this study.