Integration of bioassay and non-target metabolite analysis of tomato reveals that β-carotene and lycopene activate the adiponectin signaling pathway, including AMPK phosphorylation.

Adiponectin, an adipokine, regulates glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity through the adiponectin receptor (AdipoR). In this study, we searched for metabolites that activate the adiponectin signaling pathway from tomato (Solanum lycopersicu). Metabolites of mature tomato were separated into 55 fractions by liquid chromatography, and then each fraction was examined using the phosphorylation assay of AMP-protein kinase (AMPK) in C2C12 myotubes and in AdipoR-knockdown cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA).

Effects of Heat-Killed KB290 in Combination with β-Carotene on Influenza Virus Infection in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Influenza, a seasonal acute respiratory disease caused primarily by the influenza virus A or B, manifests with severe symptoms leading to considerable morbidity and mortality and is a major concern worldwide. Therefore, effective preventive measures against it are required. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the preventive effects of heat-killed KB290 (KB290) in combination with β-carotene (βC) on influenza virus infections in healthy Japanese subjects aged between 20 and 59 y throughout the winter season.

TOMATOMET: A metabolome database consists of 7118 accurate mass values detected in mature fruits of 25 tomato cultivars.

The total number of low-molecular-weight compounds in the plant kingdom, most of which are secondary metabolites, is hypothesized to be over one million, although only a limited number of plant compounds have been characterized. Untargeted analysis, especially using mass spectrometry (MS), has been useful for understanding the plant metabolome; however, due to the limited availability of authentic compounds for MS-based identification, the identities of most of the ion peaks detected by MS remain unknown. Accurate mass values of peaks obtained by high accuracy mass measurement and, if available, MS/MS fragmentation patterns provide abundant annotation for each peak.

Association between Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Blood Concentration of Carotenoids among the General Population without Apparent Illness.

Several studies have demonstrated that carotenoid-rich vegetables are useful against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, it is still unclear when a healthy population should start eating these vegetables to prevent CVDs. In this study, we evaluated the role of carotenoids in CVD markers in healthy subjects using age-stratified analysis.

[Two Cases of Stage Ⅳ Occult Breast Cancer].

The first case is a 62-year-old female who complained of painful left axillary lymph node swelling. Six months later, a CT scan revealed multiple lung nodules. Biopsies of the axillary lymph node and lung showed metastatic carcinoma from breast cancer.