Publications by authors named "Naho Kitamura"

Article Synopsis
  • The study explores the preventive effects of sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) and 5-aminolevulinic acid phosphate (ALA) on metabolic issues related to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
  • The experiment involved feeding male mice different diets for 15 weeks, revealing that SFC and ALA combined improved muscle strength, reduced obesity, and helped maintain normal mitochondrial function.
  • Results indicate that SFC and ALA supplementation could be a promising intervention for preventing metabolic disorders linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes by enhancing skeletal muscle and mitochondrial health.
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Food crises caused by growing global population or environmental changes are predicted in the near future; therefore, sustainable solutions are needed. Edible insects, which are rich in protein and can save feed and environmental resources, have the potential to be a sustainable alternative protein source. However, there is limited evidence on the impact on health.

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Article Synopsis
  • Iron metabolism disruptions are linked to metabolic diseases like obesity and liver fat accumulation, and iron deficiency is often seen in obese individuals.
  • Iron supplementation in mice on a high-fat diet led to reduced weight gain and lower liver fat, while also improving mitochondrial health and function in both the liver and muscles.
  • This study highlights how iron acts as a signaling molecule that enhances mitochondrial activity and energy metabolism, shedding light on its potential role in managing obesity and related liver conditions.
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Asperuloside (ASP) is an iridoid glycoside that is extracted from leaves. is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a long history of benefits on health and longevity. Here, we investigated the impact of ASP on obesity-related metabolic disorders and show that ASP reduces body weight gain, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance effectively in mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).

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Article Synopsis
  • Salt is crucial for health, but too much can lead to serious health issues, particularly related to cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
  • Disrupting circadian rhythms may be linked to these health risks, and nutrients play a role in regulating these rhythms.
  • In a study with mice, a high-fat and high-salt diet led to decreased activity and disrupted hormone secretion and gene expression related to circadian rhythms in the adrenal gland.
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Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive disease that occurs in the liver. As the number of people with NASH has increased, effective prevention and treatment strategies are needed. KA21 (AGA) is a mushroom native to Brazil and is considered a healthy food because of its purported health benefits, including its antioxidant properties.

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Article Synopsis
  • A high-calorie diet can lead to liver issues like fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) due to fat buildup and oxidative stress.
  • Melon GliSODin is a nutritional supplement known for its antioxidant properties, and this study tested its effectiveness in preventing NASH in a mouse model.
  • The results showed that Melon GliSODin reduced liver fat and fibrosis while enhancing protective gene expressions, indicating its potential as a preventative treatment for NASH.
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  • The study investigates how the permeability of phosphate ions at tight junctions in the liver affects the formation of cholesterol gallstones, particularly focusing on a protein called claudin-3 (Cldn3).
  • Using Cldn3-knockout mice, researchers found that the absence of this protein increased the permeability of phosphate ions, leading to the creation of calcium phosphate cores, which are essential in gallstone formation.
  • The findings suggest that elevated levels of phosphate ions, especially in conjunction with cholesterol overload, significantly contribute to the risk of developing cholesterol gallstones, shedding light on a new mechanism behind this common condition.
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  • Bile acids (BAs) are key players in not just absorbing dietary fats but also in signaling for various body functions.
  • They interact with specific receptors, like farnesoid X receptor and TGR5, to influence metabolic processes such as glucose and lipid metabolism and energy use.
  • The study highlights the dual role of BAs in regulating their levels and controlling metabolism, suggesting they could be a promising target for treating metabolic syndrome.
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Barnacle attachment to various foreign materials in water is guided by an extracellular multiprotein complex. A 19 kDa cement protein was purified from the Megabalanus rosa cement, and its cDNA was cloned and sequenced. The gene was expressed only in the basal portion of the animal, where the histologically identified cement gland is located.

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