Short-term intake of delta-tocotrienol on lipid profiles in healthy subjects.

Delta-tocotrienol (δ-T3) are beneficial for lipid metabolism. However, there are almost no reports on the specific numerical values of changes in blood tocotrienol levels when Japanese people consume tocotrienol. To observe the effect on blood δ-T3 and lipid concentrations after taking δ-T3, a crossover test was conducted with a control group, alpha-tocopherol (α-TP) group (264 ‍mg/day), and δ-T3 group (250 ‍mg/day).

Resveratrol Can Differentiate Human Melanoma Stem-like Cells from Spheroids Treated With All-trans Retinoic Acid.

Background/aim: Stem-like cancer cells are believed to be the leading cause of therapy resistance in malignant melanoma (MM). All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) differentiation therapy is considered a promising approach to eradicate stem-like cancer cells, but some melanoma cells are resistant to ATRA. This study aimed to examine whether resveratrol (RS), a natural polyphenol compound, could improve the response of MM stem-like cells to ATRA and explore the possible underlying mechanisms.

Effect of concomitant use of yokukansan on steady-state blood concentrations of donepezil and risperidone in real-world clinical practice.

Aim: Yokukansan is one of the most frequently used herbal medicines that can improve the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. In this exploratory study, we investigated whether yokukansan affects the steady-state blood concentrations of donepezil, risperidone, and the major metabolites of both drugs in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods: A non-randomized, open-label, single-arm study examining drug-drug interactions was conducted.

Effect of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on the Changes in Calf Venous Volume during Postural Change and Skeletal Muscle Pump Activity in Healthy Young Adults.

Dietary nitrate (NO) supplementation is known to enhance nitric oxide (NO) activity and acts as a vasodilator. In this randomized crossover study, we investigated the effect of inorganic NO supplementation on the changes in calf venous volume during postural change and subsequent skeletal muscle pump activity. Fifteen healthy young adults were assigned to receive beetroot juice (BRJ) or a NO-depleted control beverage (prune juice: CON).

Changes in homocysteine and non-mercaptoalbumin levels after acute exercise: a crossover study.

Background: Acute exercise is one factor that increases blood homocysteine levels, and elevated homocysteine levels cause oxidative stress. Albumin, which is abundant in blood, is an antioxidant, and the redox state of albumin is used as an index of oxidative stress in blood. This study aimed to assess the effect of acute exercise on plasma homocysteine levels and the blood non-mercaptoalbumin/mercaptoalbumin ratio as an oxidative stress marker.

Effect of Acute Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on the Venous Vascular Response to Static Exercise in Healthy Young Adults.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that acute intake of inorganic nitrate (NO3−) via supplementation would attenuate the venoconstriction and pressor response to exercise. Sixteen healthy young adults were assigned in a randomized crossover design to receive beetroot juice (BRJ) or an NO3−-depleted control beverage (prune juice: CON). Two hours after consuming the allocated beverage, participants rested in the supine position.

Acute dietary nitrate supplementation does not change venous volume and compliance in healthy young adults.

In this crossover study, we investigated the influence of inorganic nitrate ([Formula: see text]) supplementation on venous volume and compliance in the resting forearm and calf. Twenty healthy young adults were assigned to receive an [Formula: see text]-rich beverage [beetroot juice (BRJ): 140 mL; ∼8 mmol [Formula: see text]] or an [Formula: see text]-depleted control beverage [prune juice (CON): 166 mL; < 0.01 mmol [Formula: see text]).

Tocotrienol-rich fraction from annatto ameliorates expression of lysyl oxidase in human osteoblastic MG-63 cells.

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is required for the formation of bone collagen cross-links. Inactivation of the LOX gene in osteoblasts by DNA methylation and JAK signaling has been reported to cause loss of cross-links and an increased risk of fractures. Tocotrienols (T3s) have proven benefits on bone strength, but their potential effects on LOX remain largely unknown.

Association of Frequency of Milk or Dairy Product Consumption with Subjective Sleep Quality during Training Periods in Japanese Elite Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of the study was to examine the association of the frequencies of milk and dairy product consumption with subjective sleep quality during the training period in Japanese elite athletes. In this cross-sectional study, 682 Japanese elite athletes who were candidates for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games underwent medical evaluations at the medical center of The Japan Institute of Sports Sciences. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect information on demographics and lifestyle (age, height, weight, sports, presence of milk allergy, smoking and drinking habits), subjective sleep quality (good, normal, or poor), bedtime, waking time, sleep duration, and frequencies of milk and dairy product consumption.

Salt Restriction Affects the Excretions of Minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P and Zn) in the Second Voided Fasting Early Morning Urine.

The plasma concentrations of mineral (sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and zinc (Zn)) are kept within narrow ranges to maintain homeostasis; hence, it is difficult to use them as indicators of nutritional status. We selected the excretion of these minerals in the second voided fasting early morning urine (EMU) as potential indicators of nutritional status. We previously reported that Na restriction caused a negative balance of Ca and Mg.

How elevated CO2 affects our nutrition in rice, and how we can deal with it.

Increased concentrations of atmospheric CO2 are predicted to reduce the content of essential elements such as protein, zinc, and iron in C3 grains and legumes, threatening the nutrition of billions of people in the next 50 years. However, this prediction has mostly been limited to grain crops, and moreover, we have little information about either the underlying mechanism or an effective intervention to mitigate these reductions. Here, we present a broader picture of the reductions in elemental content among crops grown under elevated CO2 concentration.

Association between Adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top and Sleep Quality in College Students.

This study aimed to elucidate the association between adherence to the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top (Food Guide score) and sleep quality in Japanese college students. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 175 Japanese college students aged 19⁻22 years in the eastern part of Gunma Prefecture to examine the association between the Food Guide score and sleep quality. A self-administered diet history questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess habitual dietary intake and sleep quality, respectively.

Association between Skin Condition and Sleep Efficiency in Japanese Young Adults.

There has been little epidemiological evidence that has comprehensively clarified whether alterations in lifestyle, such as sleep quality and dietary intake, explain changes in the skin condition of healthy young adults. Therefore, the aim of our study was to elucidate the association between skin condition and lifestyle behaviors such as diet and sleep, after statistically controlling confounding factors. The subjects were 54 participants who were aged 20-32 y, and who attended college in the Kanto region (in Japan).

A redox-silent analogue of tocotrienol inhibits cobalt(II) chloride-induced VEGF expression via Yes signaling in mesothelioma cells.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in tumor angiogenesis and represents an attractive anticancer target. We have previously demonstrated that a redox-silent analogue of α-tocotrienol, 6-O-carboxypropyl-α-tocotrienol (T3E) exhibits potent anti-carcinogenic property in human malignant mesothelioma (MM) cells. However, inhibition of tumor growth by targeting VEGF pathway remains undetermined.

Induction of the connexin 32 gene by epigallocatechin-3-gallate potentiates vinblastine-induced cytotoxicity in human renal carcinoma cells.

Background/aim: Enforced expression of the connexin (Cx) 32 gene, a member of the gap junction gene family and a tumor suppressor gene in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC), enhanced vinblastine (VBL)-induced cytotoxicity in RCC cells due to suppression of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) expression. Furthermore, in RCC the Cx32 gene is silenced by hypermethylation of CpG islands in a promoter region of the Cx gene. In this study, we investigated if the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could enhance susceptibility of RCC cells (Caki-1, a human metastatic RCC cell) to VBL.

Yes is a central mediator of cell growth in malignant mesothelioma cells.

The constitutive activation of the Src family kinases (SFKs) has been established as a poor prognostic factor in malignant mesothelioma (MM), however, the family member(s) which contribute to the malignancy have not been defined. This study aimed to identify the SFK member(s) contributing to cell growth using RNA interference in various MM cell lines. Silencing of Yes but not of c-Src or Fyn in MM cells leads to cell growth suppression.

Redox-inactive analogue of tocotrienol as a potential anti-cancer agent.

Vitamins are prominent among natural or endogenous compounds that are considered to be beneficial for both prevention and therapy of various human ailments. The vitamin E group of compounds composed of tocopherol and tocotrienol isoforms, has been subsequently proven to have health benefits including antioxidant and related protective properties. However, individual isoforms exhibit a wide-range of antioxidant potencies.

Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor from soybeans enhances cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in human mesothelioma cells.

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive cancer with no effective treatment options. Enforced expression of the gap junction (GJ) component connexin 43 (Cx43) increases the sensitivity of MM cells to cisplatin. Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor (BBI) induces the restoration of Cx43 in several types of tumor cells.

Long-term survival of a patient with Marshall-Smith syndrome.

A 7-year-old girl presented with classic signs of typical Marshall-Smith syndrome, a rare early overgrowth syndrome. Her long-term survival, which is extremely uncommon in such patients, can be attributed to the successful securing and maintenance of an airway. Continued follow-up is extremely important in finding out how to ensure long-term survival of such patients.

An Unusual Case of Multiple Gastric Carcinoids Associated with Diffuse Endocrine Cell Hyperplasia and Parietal Cell Hypertrophy.

We describe a case of multiple gastric carcinoid tumors in a 47 year-old Japanese man. The patient had markedly elevated serum gastrin levels (>800 pg/mL), which were suppressed by secretin-pancreozymin administration. In the partial gastrectomy specimen, a total of 19 carcinoids arose from diffuse linear and micronodular hyperplasia of the oxyntic mucosal endocrine cells.