Oxytocin is a peptide hormone secreted into the blood from the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin's biosynthesis, receptors, and functions have been studied extensively, and in recent years, in addition to its typical roles in uterine contraction and ejaculation, its influence on social behaviors and anti-inflammatory effects have attracted attention. For oxytocin to influence social behaviors, oxytocin in the blood must cross the blood-brain barrier. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) has been found to act as a transporter to transfer it into the brain. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of oxytocin's impact on social behaviors of affection and trust formation has the potential to help address recent problems, i.e., child abandonment and maltreatment. Oxytocin can be a hormone that plays an important role in life events.

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Glucosylceramides (GlcCer), ceramides (Cer), and β-sitosterol glucoside (BSG) are produced in the refining process of rice bran oil. GlcCer are used for functional foods that claim to promote skin barrier functions and moisturization. However, the efficacies of single molecules of GlcCer, Cer, and BSG remain unclear. Therefore, we herein examined the effects of rice-derived GlcCer, Cer, and BSG on skin. The anti-inflammatory effects of BSG in a mouse pneumonia model were also investigated. Skin barrier effects were assessed based on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in a reconstructed human epidermal keratinization model. The results obtained showed that GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8Z)] with C18 to C26 fatty acids, Cer[t18:0/24:0], and BSG decreased TEWL. The suppressive effect of GlcCer was dependent on the length of fatty acids, while Cer[t18:0/24:0] and GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8Z)/26:0] exerted similar strong effects. GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8Z)] with C18 and C20 fatty acids and Cer[t18:0/24:0] suppressed melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. Furthermore, BSG prolonged the survival of influenza-infected mice and increased blood O2 saturation in lipopolysaccharide-induced pneumonia mice. In conclusion, GlcCer promoted barrier function in a fatty acid length-dependent manner and up-regulated the expression of filaggrin. Cer[t18:0/24:0] strongly promoted barrier functions by increasing the production of Cer[NS/NDS]. GlcCer[d18:2(4E,8Z)] with C18 and C20 fatty acids and Cer[t18:0/24:0] suppressed melanogenesis. These results suggest that specific GlcCer and Cer promote epidermal barrier functions and exhibit anti-melanogenic activity, leading to clinical efficacy. BSG also contributed to epidermal and lung barrier functions. Therefore, these 3 components in rice oil by-products are beneficial for skin and lung health.

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Purpose: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial with parallel-group comparison was conducted to confirm the alternations in subjective and objective symptoms, and the safety of ingestion of a test food product (CRISTA®), which contains a high concentration of rooster comb enzymatic degradation product. The primary components are low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen peptide. Effectiveness on ocular moisturizing effects and safety were assessed. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects who were experienced dry or eye fatigue on a daily basis due to viewing an electronic display for work, were randomly classified into two groups, the test food product group and the control (placebo) group. Among them, excluding one participant (the test food product group), who met exclusion criteria, twenty-nine subjects were subject of analysis for validity verification assessment items: fourteen food product group participants (male: seven, female: seven, age: 38.2 ± 3.2 years) and control food group participants (male: eight, female: seven, age: 38.4 ± 2.7 years). Results: After four-week ingestion of test product, significant increase of lacrimation was confirmed with Schirmer's test. Significant differences were shown in both the test product group and the control group. The effectiveness of the test product was verified to keep the eyes moisturized. There were no differences between two groups regarding Dry Eye Quality of Life (QOL) Questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale for subjective symptoms, Anti-aging QOL Common Questionnaire, tear break-up time, visual acuity, and intra-ocular pressure. The safety of the continuous oral ingestion for as long as four weeks was verified. Conclusion: This test food product is promising as an effective and safe oral ingestion functional food to prevent eye dryness.

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