Accumulation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) in the body due to glycative stress is a factor in the onset of aging and lifestyle-related diseases. Suppression of glycative stress in the body is called anti-glycation, and includes suppression of postprandial hyperglycemia, suppression of glycative reaction, and decomposition and excretion of AGEs. It is already known that plant materials, i.e., vegetables and herbs, have an anti-glycative effect. Of these, the rhizome of black galangal (Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker; KP), which is a type of ginger family plant (Zingiberaceae), has an action of suppressing the formation of fluorescent AGEs, and polymethoxy flavonoids (PMF); and hydrophilic components are thought to be involved as the active components. In this study, for the purpose of further verifying the possibility of KP as an anti-glycation material, we focused on the hydrophilic component in the KP rhizome and evaluated the anti-glycative effect and AGE decomposition action. As a sample, a hot water (80°C) extract of dry KP rhizome was used. The anti-glycative effect of the KP extract was examined for actions of inhibiting the formation of AGEs and intermediates in the human serum albumin (HSA)-glucose glycation model. Regarding the degrading action of AGEs, the cleaving action of AGE cross-links and the enhancing action of oxidized protein hydrolase (OPH) activity. In the results, the KP extracts inhibited the formation of fluorescent AGEs, pentosidine, CML (Nε-carboxymethyllysine) and intermediates, 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), glyoxal solution (GO) and methylglyoxal solution (MGO). For the decomposition effect, the KP extract enhanced actions of both cross-link cleaving of AGEs and OPH activity. In conclusion, it is indicated that KP, as an anti-glycative material, can suppress the production of many types of AGEs with different pathways and acts on the decomposition of AGEs, thus reducing the amount of accumulated AGEs in the body.

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A number of recent research studies related to the significantly important intra-arterial perivascular drainage pathway indicates its crucial role in maintaining the optimal brain homeostasis. Driven by the pulsatile vasomotion forces, this drainage carries and cleans a whole complex of brain metabolism waste products, especially beta amyloid (Aβ). In the case of a markedly increased intracerebral concentration, especially of toxic Aβ, or alterated vasomotion, the drainage pathway undergoes a burdening in the flow, its collapse, and sedimentation of waste particles, among them Aβ aggregates in particular. In addition to the Aβ elimination through this drainage pathway that ends in the neck paracarotide lymph nodes, the drainage from this space also takes place by endothelial receptors and the transcytosis mechanism through the cytoplasm of endothel cells into the capillary blood. The aim of this study is to present a detailed explanation of these drainages, with the special analysis of LRP1 receptor and its functions in these events.

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Objective: The special-glaze-applied ceramic pieces used in this study are bisque fired ceramics manufactured by applying a special glaze. It has been suggested that cyanobacteria, which are oxygen-producing photosynthetic bacteria, may proliferate when ceramic pieces are placed in soil or water. In this study, we installed ceramic pieces in the Benten Pond (Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan) and verified the effect of the pieces on water quality. Method: Benten Pond is a closed water system with a little flow from upstream where a water inlet pipe is located, to downstream where a drainage channel is located. We placed three sandbags filled with approximately 6 kg of ceramic pieces in the water. We observed reddish mud and oil film around the water inlet pipe that were determined to be iron oxide biomats produced by iron bacteria, and ceramic pieces of 1 kg were scattered only on the west side of the pipe. Result: The values of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)/Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), which are indicators of water quality, were 1.8/4.2 mg/L when the ceramic pieces were placed (November 21, 2019), the values temporarily increased during summer and decreased to 1.2/3.5 mg/L after one year. An improvement was observed in suspended solids, which dropped from 17 mg/L to 12 mg/L. The previous value of total nitrogen was 14 mg/L, which was well above the standard value. Total nitrogen decreased during the summer and then approached the previous value. Although total phosphorus increased temporarily during summer from the previous value of 0.034 mg/L, the value was 0.030 mg/L after one year. The iron oxide biomats almost disappeared in the area where the ceramic pieces were placed, and the biomats remained unchanged in the area where the pieces were not placed. Adverse events associated with the installation of ceramic pieces were not observed. Conclusion: The installation of ceramic pieces improved the water quality and reduced iron oxide biomats. Further studies regarding the involvement of cyanobacteria are required.

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Purpose: In this study, we compared the subjective symptoms and changes in skin condition of university students and staffs with brown rice from which the bran layer had been removed (dewaxed brown rice: DBR) for one month, in comparison with the polished rice free intake group. Methods: The 65 subjects in the analysis group consisted of 43 in the DBR group (25 males and 18 females 23.8 ± 8.8 years) and 22 in the control group (13 males and 9 females 22.0 ± 1.2 years). In the DBR group, a test meal of 150 g or more was ingested once a day for one month, and in the control group, polished rice was usually taken freely. Before and after the test, the questionnaire, skin condition (Clreo-Pro), and skin AGE fluorescence (by AGEs sensor) were evaluated. Results: DBR intake compliance was at 87.5%, and no adverse events due to dyspepsia were observed. Skin age, an index of skin condition, was significantly improved in the DBR group compared to the control. There was no significant difference in skin AGE fluorescence. Gender analysis showed that wrinkles and porphyrin levels were significantly improved in the DBR group in women. Conclusion: It was suggested that DBR could contribute to health promotion including skin condition by reducing the indigestibility of brown rice and ensuring nutritional value, which facilitates continuous intake.

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Objective: Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) produced by glycative stress promotes the progression of age-related diseases. The potential methods to reduce already accumulated AGEs include enhancing the oxidized protein hydrolase (OPH) that originally exists in the body to promote the decomposition of the AGE-derived protein, and directly acting on the AGE crosslinks to cleave them. Therefore, this study investigated herbs that work to enhance OPH activity as well as to cleave AGE crosslinks. Methods: Hot water (80°C) extracts of 6 kinds of herbs were used as the samples. 1) N-acetyl-L-alanine p-nitroanilide (AAPA) was used as a substrate for the OPH activity. The herbal extracts, OPH solution, AAPA solution and Tris-HCl buffer solution were mixed at a ratio of 1: 1: 2: 21 and left to react for 24 hours at 37°C. Then, the absorbance of p-nitroaniline, which is produced by enzymatic degradation, at 405 nm was measured. 2) 1-Phenyl-1,2-propanedione (PPD), which has an α-diketone structure as a substrate, was used as the AGE crosslink cleaving model. The herbal extracts, PPD solution, and phosphate buffer solution were mixed at a ratio of 5 : 1 : 4 and left to react at 37°C for 8 hours. Then, hydrochloric acid was added to the solution and the solution was centrifuged to obtain a supernatant. The benzoic acid in the supernatant, which was produced upon decomposition of PPD by the herbal extracts, was measured using the HPLC method. Results: The OPH activity enhancing action was found to be stronger in the order of fenugreek (Trigo nella foenum-graecum) seeds (106.9%), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seeds (81.8%), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyxes and bracts (63.0%). The AGE crosslink cleaving action was stronger in the order of fennel seeds (39.0%), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves (29.6%), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves and stems (26.6%). In combination, OPH activity was on the attenuated side when even one herbal extract that attenuates the OPH activity was included. Conclusion: Fennel, fenugreek and hibiscus were found to have both OPH activity enhancing action and AGE crosslink cleaving activity. It was also suggested that depending on the combination of these herbs and their ratio, it may optimize both effects.

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Bee pollen is a pellet of pollen made by honeybees. We investigated the effects of continued consumption of bee pollen on athletes' conditions and exercise performance. Bee pollen or placebo was consumed continuously for 16 weeks, during which time, body composition measurements, stress checks, GO/NO GO tests, glycation stress measurements, stress, motivation, arthralgia, etc. were subjected to paper-based Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). They also received training data (bench, squat, clean, deadlift and 1000 m running) provided by the study subjects during the same period. In addition, the questionnaire was carried out using the mail function of the mobile phone once a week. The results showed that physical stress and muscle mass were significantly improved in the Bee Pollen group compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a tendency to alleviate mental stress in the Bee Pollen group. It was suggested that bee pollen intake may have a positive effect on athletic performance. However, there was eventually a marked reduction in the number of individuals included in the data analysis. Therefore, it is necessary to test again after taking measures to prevent the reduction of the target population.

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