Novel Odd-Chain Fatty Acids with a Terminal Double Bond in Ovaries of the Limpet Cellana toreuma.

Our previous study characterized highly diverse dienoic fatty acids (FA), in particular an uncommon non-methylene-interrupted (NMI) FA, in the ovaries of the Japanese limpet Cellana toreuma belonging to the archaeogastropods, but many minor chemically unidentified FA remain. In this study, among previously unidentified FA (less than 0.1% of total FA), four novel NMI FA with a terminal double bond [7,18-nonadecadienoic (19:2Δ7,18), 11,18-nonadecadienoic (19:2Δ11,18), 7,20-heneicosadienoic (21:2Δ7,20), and 11,20-heneicosadienoic (21:2Δ11,20) acids] were found, along with known 14-pentadecenoic (15:1Δ14), 16-heptadecenoic (17:1Δ16), and 9,18-nonadecadienoic (19:2Δ9,18) acids, based on capillary GC-MS of their methyl esters, 3-pyridylcarbinol derivatives, and argentation thin-layer chromatography.

(4Z,15Z)-Octadecadienoic Acid Inhibits Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β and Glucose Production in H4IIE Cells.

Many uncommon non-methylene-interrupted fatty acids (NMI FA) are present in limpet gonads, but their biological properties remain unknown. To investigate new biological effects of naturally occurring NMI FA in eukaryotic cells, the biological activities of structurally analogous (4Z,15Z)-octadecadienoic acid (1), (9Z,20Z)-tricosadienoic acid (2), and (12Z,23Z)-hexacosadienoic acid (3) were examined by using a yeast-based drug-screening system using the Ca-sensitive mutant strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (zds1Δ erg3Δ pdr1Δ pdr3Δ). Among 1-3, 1 showed restored growth activity at a dose of 80 µg/disc in the mutant yeast strain.

Protective Effect of Dietary Lily Bulb on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Lily bulb is traditionally consumed in East Asia and contains high amounts of glucomannan. This study investigated the effect of dietary lily bulb on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 30% beef tallow with or without 7% steamed lily bulb powder for 17 d.

Dietary phytic acid prevents fatty liver by reducing expression of hepatic lipogenic enzymes and modulates gut microflora in rats fed a high-sucrose diet.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phytic acid (PA) on fatty liver and gut microflora in rats fed a high-sucrose (HSC) diet.

Methods: Three groups of rats were fed a high-starch (HSR) diet or an HSC diet with or without 1.02% sodium PA for 12 d.

Consumption of lily bulb modulates fecal ratios of firmicutes and bacteroidetes phyla in rats fed a high-fat diet.

It has been recently suggested a high ratio of fecal Firmicutes and reduction in the Bacteroidetes in obese animals. This study investigated the effect of dietary lily bulb (LB) on fecal Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. In experiment 1, rats were fed an HF diet with or without 7% raw (R) or steamed (S) LB.

An Unprecedented Occurrence of Δ5,9- and Δ9,15-Dienoic Fatty Acids in Ovaries of the Archaeogastropod Limpet Cellana toreuma.

A detailed structural diversity of dienoic fatty acids (FA), including non-methylene-interrupted dienoic FA, of triacylglycerols and polar lipids in ovaries of Cellana toreuma was clarified for the first time by using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of their 3-pyridylcarbinol esters and argentation thin-layer chromatography. Interestingly, in addition to 5,9-octadecadienoic (18:2Δ5,9), 5,9-eicosadienoic (20:2Δ5,9), 5,9-heneicosadienoic (21:2Δ5,9), 5,9-docosadienoic (22:2Δ5,9), 5,9-tricosadienoic (23:2Δ5,9), and 5,9-tetracosadienoic (24:2Δ5,9) acids, previously identified in ovaries of C. grata, rare FA 5,9-hexadecadienoic (16:2Δ5,9), 5,9-nonadecadienoic (19:2Δ5,9), and 21-methyl-5,9-docosadienoic (iso 23:2Δ5,9) were newly recognized in ovaries of C.

Supplemental fermented plant product ('') reduces succinate and deoxycholate, as well as elevates IgA and mucin levels, in rats fed a high-fat diet.

'' is a commercial fermented plant product (FPP) made from 53 types of fruits and vegetables that have been fermented for >3 years and 3 months. We hypothesized that FPP intake improves the luminal environment of rats fed a high-fat diet. Thus, the present study examined the effects of consumption of 5% FPP diet for 3 weeks on colonic luminal parameters in rats fed a 30% beef tallow diet.

Short- and long-term dynamics in the intestinal microbiota following ingestion of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis GCL2505.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis GCL2505 (B. lactis GCL2505) is able to survive passage through the intestines and proliferate.

Dietary polyphenols increase fecal mucin and immunoglobulin A and ameliorate the disturbance in gut microbiota caused by a high fat diet.

The effects of dietary polyphenols on human health have mainly been discussed in the context of preventing degenerative diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancer. The antioxidant properties of polyphenols have been widely studied, but it has become clear that the mechanism of action of polyphenols extends beyond the modulation of oxidative stress, as they are poorly absorbed from the digestive tract. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of polyphenols on the colonic environment, intestinal barrier function, and gut microbiota.

Beneficial effects of protease preparations derived from on the colonic luminal environment in rats consuming a high-fat diet.

The present study investigated the effects of the dietary addition of the protease preparations derived from on the colonic luminal environment. Rats were fed a 30% beef tallow diet with or without the protease preparations, including Amano protease (protease A 'Amano SD', neutral proteases from spp.) or orientase (orientase AY, acid proteases from ) at the dose of 0.

Simultaneous ingestion of high-methoxy pectin from apple can enhance absorption of quercetin in human subjects.

Chronic ingestion of apple pectin has been shown to increase the absorption of quercetin in rats. The present study was designed to elucidate whether the simultaneous ingestion of quercetin with apple pectin could enhance the absorption of quercetin in humans, and the effects of dose dependency and degree of pectin methylation on quercetin absorption were also investigated. Healthy volunteers (n 19) received 200 ml of 0.

Dietary phytic acid modulates characteristics of the colonic luminal environment and reduces serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Dietary phytic acid (PA; myo-inositol [MI] hexaphosphate) is known to inhibit colon carcinogenesis in rodents. Dietary fiber, which is a negative risk factor of colon cancer, improves characteristics of the colonic environment, such as the content of organic acids and microflora. We hypothesized that dietary PA would improve the colonic luminal environment in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Connexin expression and gap-junctional intercellular communication in ES cells and iPS cells.

Pluripotent stem cells, i.e., embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, can indefinitely proliferate without commitment and differentiate into all cell lineages.

Consumption of vitamin B(6) reduces fecal ratio of lithocholic acid to deoxycholic acid, a risk factor for colon cancer, in rats fed a high-fat diet.

To examine the effect of supplemental dietary vitamin B(6) on the colonic luminal environment, growing male rats were fed a high-fat diet containing 1, 7, or 35 mg pyridoxine HCl/kg diet for 6 wk. Food intake and growth were unaffected by the dietary treatment. Supplemental dietary vitamin B(6) significantly reduced the production of a fecal secondary bile acid, lithocholic acid (the most toxic secondary bile acid and a risk factor for colon cancer), and markedly reduced the ratio of lithocholic acid to deoxycholic acid (a less toxic secondary bile acid) in feces (p<0.

Burdock fermented by Aspergillus awamori elevates cecal Bifidobacterium, and reduces fecal deoxycholic acid and adipose tissue weight in rats fed a high-fat diet.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with burdock powder and Aspergillus awamori-fermented burdock powder at 5% on the intestinal luminal environment and body fat in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Food intake and growth were unaffected by dietary manipulation. Consumption of the burdock and fermented burdock diets significantly elevated fecal IgA and mucins (indices of intestinal immune and barrier functions) and reduced fecal lithocholic acid (a risk factor for colon cancer) (p<0.

Regulation of connexin expression by transcription factors and epigenetic mechanisms.

Gap junctions are specialized cell-cell junctions that directly link the cytoplasm of neighboring cells. They mediate the direct transfer of metabolites and ions from one cell to another. Discoveries of human genetic disorders due to mutations in gap junction protein (connexin [Cx]) genes and experimental data on connexin knockout mice provide direct evidence that gap junctional intercellular communication is essential for tissue functions and organ development, and that its dysfunction causes diseases.

Consumption of a resistant protein, sericin, elevates fecal immunoglobulin A, mucins, and cecal organic acids in rats fed a high-fat diet.

We previously reported that consumption of a resistant protein, sericin, reduces colon tumorigenesis, constipation, and serum TG in rodents. The present study was conducted to elucidate the effects of dietary sericin on the intestinal luminal environment in rats fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Rats were fed 300 or 50 g/kg of beef tallow with or without 40 g/kg sericin, a protein purified from cocoons of Bombix mori, for 3 wk.

Consumption of sericin reduces serum lipids, ameliorates glucose tolerance and elevates serum adiponectin in rats fed a high-fat diet.

The effect was examined of dietary sericin on the lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in rats fed with a high-fat diet. The rats were fed with a 20% beef tallow diet with or without sericin at the level of 4% for 5 weeks. The final body weight and white adipose tissue weight were unaffected by dietary manipulation.

Consumption of curcumin elevates fecal immunoglobulin A, an index of intestinal immune function, in rats fed a high-fat diet.

This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of dietary polyphenols on intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) response and mucin levels in rats fed a high-fat diet. In experiment 1, rats were fed a high-fat diet with or without several polyphenols including curcumin, rutin, D(+)-catechin, ellagic acid and quercetin at the level of 0.5%.

Ingestion of gelatinized potato starch containing a high level of phosphorus decreases serum and liver lipids in rats.

Potato starch is known to have a higher concentration of phosphate than other starches. The presence of phosphate groups in amylopectin results in resistance to digestion by amylase. Therefore, there is a possibility that potato starch is slowly digested, inducing a physiological effect similar to that of resistant starch and indigestible oligosaccharides.

A novel assay system for myeloperoxidase activity in whole saliva.

Objectives: The application of a novel assay system for the direct measurement of MPO (myeloperoxidase) activity in whole saliva.

Design And Methods: The assay system employs a novel sensitive substrate from 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and guaiacol in the presence of dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone) to determine MPO activity in whole saliva using an original "sandwich" test-disk (DEAE-cellulose paper and cellulose chromatography paper). The saliva (0.

Difructose anhydride III promotes absorption of the soluble flavonoid alphaG-rutin in rats.

A highly soluble quercetin glycoside, alphaG-rutin, is a glucose adduct of insoluble rutin. We examined the effects of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII; di-D-fructofuranosyl 1,2':2,3'-dianhydride) on intestinal absorption of alphaG-rutin by rat experiments. alphaG-rutin, rutin, quercetin, and the quercetin conjugate appeared in the portal blood after an intubation of alphaG-rutin (100 micromol), DFAIII effected higher portal concentrations of alphaG-rutin in portal cannulated rats.

Intestinal absorption and metabolism of a soluble flavonoid, alphaG-rutin, in portal cannulated rats.

A highly soluble quercetin glycoside, alphaG-rutin, is a glucose adduct of insoluble rutin, and intestinal absorption and metabolism of alphaG-rutin has not been known. We investigated the intestinal absorption and metabolism of alphaG-rutin by using portal and duodenal cannulated rats and the isolated rat intestinal mucosa. After a duodenal instillation of alphaG-rutin (150 mumol), intact alphaG-rutin, rutin and quercetin were appeared in the portal blood and these concentrations were similarly increased at 15 min.

Gastroprotective effect of red pigments in black chokeberry fruit (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) on acute gastric hemorrhagic lesions in rats.

It has been reported that the fruits and leaves of berries such as the blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry contain a high level of scavenging activity for chemically generated active oxygen species. This study investigated the antioxidative activities of black chokeberry fruit (Aronia melanocarpa Elliot) both in vitro and in vivo using the DPPH stable radical and rats with ethanol-induced gastric injury, respectively. The red pigment fraction of the black chokeberry contained three main components, one of which was identified as cyanidin 3-O-beta-glucoside by HPLC analysis and (1)H NMR.