Recent studies have demonstrated a significant role for gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of various diseases, pregnancy outcomes, and fetal growth. Vitamin D modulates innate immunity and promotes immune tolerance, suggesting involvement in shaping the gut microbiota. However, the relationship between vitamin D and the gut microbiota during pregnancy has not been evaluated in detail. In this study, we administered a vitamin D₃ supplement (VD) to pregnant Japanese women, starting during the first trimester of pregnancy, and characterized changes in the circulating concentration of vitamin D and the gut microbiome. Sixty-two pregnant women were randomly allocated to three groups. VD was administered at low (200 IU/d), medium (400 IU/d), or high (1,000 IU/d) doses for 8 wk from 12 to 15 wk of pregnancy, and changes in the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration and the gut microbiome were evaluated. Changes in gut microbial taxa abundance were analyzed by Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Before VD administration, 96.8% of the participants were VD-deficient, and none had a sufficient VD concentration. The serum 25(OH)D concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner in all the dose groups. Additionally, the abundance of Fusicatenibacter in the gut microbiota increased in a VD dosedependent manner, with a significant increase observed in the high-dose group. From these results, in pregnant Japanese women, the administration of high-dose VD increases the prevalence of VD sufficiency and alters the gut microbial composition, suggesting that this has benefits for the maternal and neonatal immune systems.

We aimed to clarify the relationship between eating situations and behavioural problems in Japanese preschool children. Subjects were 591 children who attended nursery school in city Y, Japan, and their guardians. We administered a questionnaire that included the children’s behavioural characteristics and items pertaining to eating situations, family structure, and guardian’s educational background. We analysed the association between eating situations, meal greetings, pleasant mealtime, states of mastication, eating speed, and behavioural problems among preschool children. In these analyses, a Total Difficulty Score (TDS) was used to classify children’s behavioural characteristics into two groups, ‘Normal’ and ‘Borderline/Abnormal,’ and binomial logistic regression analysis was performed. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for ‘Borderline/Abnormal.’ Children who rarely ate breakfast with their families had an adjusted OR of 10.59 for borderline/abnormal TDS compared to children who ate breakfast with their families four or more days a week (p=0.005). Children who chewed only a little at meals had an adjusted OR of 3.25 for borderline/abnormal TDS than children who chewed well. Furthermore, the children who answered that mealtimes were not pleasant mealtime had an adjusted OR of 3.01 for borderline/abnormal TDS than children who always had pleasant mealtime. The results of this study suggested that children’s behavioural problems, based on their TDS classification, were related to their eating situations and eating behaviours.

To clarify the association between the intake frequency of a meal combination of staple, main, and side dishes (SMS meal), determined using a validated questionnaire, and the intake of various nutrients and food groups among Japanese adults. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 936 persons aged 18–64 y who participated in the Dynamics of Lifestyle and Neighborhood Community on Health Study. The intake frequency of SMS meals was assessed using our validated questionnaire and validated. The intake of nutrients and food groups was examined using validated food-frequency questionnaires. To examine the association of the intake frequency of SMS meals with the intake of specific nutrients and food groups, linear regression analysis was conducted with adjustment for age, body mass index, education history, living status (alone or not), smoking status, and alcohol drinking. The intake frequency of SMS meals was significantly positively associated with the intake of 24/32 nutrients in men, 8/32 nutrients in women, 6/16 food groups in men, and 1/16 food groups in women, and significantly negatively associated with 2/16 food groups in men. A higher intake frequency of SMS meals was not significantly associated with a higher intake of salt or saturated fats. Our results suggest that a higher intake frequency of SMS meals, examined using a validated questionnaire, may be associated with a higher intake of certain nutrients and food groups among young and middle-aged adults without a higher intake of salt and saturated fats.

Nutritional guidance typically uses protein and lipid intake rather than amino acids and fatty acids. However, the composition of amino acids and fatty acids varies depending on the food source, requiring detailed analysis for accurate dietary assessment. Currently, limited research exists on the detailed composition of foods commonly consumed in Japan. Therefore, we aimed to compare the characteristics of amino acid and fatty acid in foods that are the major sources of protein in the Japanese diet. Data cleaning was performed on 2,478 foods listed in the Food Composition Table 2020 (8th revision). Heatmap cluster analysis was performed for food groups, amino acid, and fatty acid, and statistical analysis was performed to determine the percentage differences between food groups. Heat map cluster analysis of the fish and meat data showed that the foods were divided into two groups in the first level (fish and meat). Characteristic amino acid and fatty acid were 5/8 for meat, 1/27 for fish, and 13/0 for common, and no common fatty acid were noted. Significant differences were found between nine amino acids and 31 fatty acids. Heat map cluster analysis using data on seafood, meat, legumes, and eggs showed that foods could be classified into two clusters at the first level: seafood and meat, with legumes and eggs included in the meat cluster. The results of the heat map cluster analysis using statistical analysis and means indicated that seafood, meat, and legumes were characterized differently, especially in terms of fatty acid.

The compound 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP) possesses antioxidant properties; however, its effects on cognitive function are unclear. This study examined the effects of DDMP-containing beverages on the cognitive function of healthy middle-aged and older Japanese individuals. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled parallel study. The study protocol was registered with the University Hospital Medical Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000052639). In this study, 220 participants who were aware of their memory decline were enrolled and randomly assigned to the intervention or placebo group. The participants ingested the test food [65 mL lactic acid bacteria (LAB) beverage containing 2.2 mg DDMP] or placebo food (65 mL LAB beverage without DDMP) once a day for 12 wk. Cognitive function was assessed before the test and after 12 wk. The primary endpoint was verbal memory, while other cognitive function items and oxidative stress markers were set as the secondary outcomes. Differences in changes among the groups were assessed using analysis of covariance. After 12 wk, verbal and composite memory scores were considerably higher in the DDMP group than in the placebo group. However, no significant differences in oxidative stress markers were noticed. Therefore, consumption of a LAB beverage containing DDMP can markedly improve verbal and composite memory in middle-aged and older individuals with memory deterioration.

Several Japanese cohort studies reported that alcohol consumption was inversely associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, these results were inconsistent. We investigated alcohol consumption and CAD in 802 patients undergoing coronary angiography, in whom foods, beverages and alcohol intakes were assessed. Alcohol intake was classified into 4 categories: nondrinkers, light (<23 g/d), moderate (23–45 g/d), and heavy (≥46 g/d) drinkers. Among 583 men, CAD was found in 404, of whom 137 had myocardial infarction (MI). The prevalence of CAD and MI stepwisely decreased on alcohol intake: 80% and 30% in nondrinkers, 65% and 20% in light, 60% and 17% in moderate, and 54% and 16% in heavy drinkers (p<0.001). However, serum γ-GTP levels were higher in heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers. In multivariate analyses, odds ratios for <23 g/d, 23–45 g/d and ≥46 g/d alcohol intakes compared to nondrinkers was 0.53 (95%CI: 0.33–0.85), 0.44 (0.24–0.81), and 0.33 (0.16–0.68) for CAD, and 0.56 (0.34–0.90), 0.62 (0.32–1.20), and 0.43 (0.18–1.01) for MI. Among 219 women, CAD and MI were present in 107 and 36. Compared with nondrinkers, light and moderate to heavy drinkers less often had CAD (52%, 41%, and 29%) and MI (19%, 9%, and 14%), but these differences did not reach statistical significance. In women, no significant association was found between alcohol intake and CAD. Thus, in Japanese men undergoing coronary angiography, alcohol consumption was inversely associated with CAD, but heavy consumption was associated with abnormally high γ-GTP levels. In women, no significant association was found between alcohol consumption and CAD.

The gut microbiota has been implicated in the modulation of food allergies. Building on previous studies on the preventive effects of combining short-chain fructan 1-kestose (Kes) and long-chain fructan inulin (Inu) in food allergies, we investigated their therapeutic effects in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy mouse model. Following OVA sensitization, the mice received 5% Kes and Inu, either individually or a combined 2.5% dose of each, for 4 wk. We assessed allergy-related markers, such as OVA-specific serum IgE (OVA-sIgE) levels, in the blood and monitored changes in the gut microbiome. The intake of fructans ameliorated allergic symptoms and stabilized rectal temperatures, with a significant reduction in OVA-sIgE levels only in the combined Kes and Inu group (Kes+Inu), p<0.05. Gut microbiota diversity analysis revealed significant differences in beta diversity between the groups not receiving fructans and those receiving Kes, Inu, or Kes+Inu (p<0.01 each). Specifically, in the Kes+Inu group, the abundance of the genus UBA7173 belonging to the family Muribaculaceae significantly increased. Additionally, acetate levels were significantly elevated only in the Kes+Inu group and correlated positively with the presence of the genus UBA7173. These findings indicated that the combined intake of Kes and Inu improves allergic outcomes, positively affects the gut microbiome, and enhances the production of acetate.

This cross-sectional study examined the link between screen time and lifestyle habits in upper elementary school children. It included 400 elementary schoolchildren studying in the fifth and sixth grades in elementary (187 boys, 213 girls, age: 10–12 y) in Japan. Gender, obesity index, physical fitness score, screen time, and lifestyle habits related to breakfast, midnight snacks, exercise, and sleep were the study items. Using logistic regression analysis, we examined lifestyle habits factors and screen time as the dependent and independent variables, respectively. We found that >3 h of screen time was significantly associated with increased odds of eating breakfast sometimes or never (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 2.37 [1.05, 5.38]) and eating midnight snacks (2.72 [1.41, 5.23]). Additionally, the same factor significantly associated with <6 h of sleep (10.45 [2.78, 39.30]) and bedtime later than 10 pm (2.81 [1.43, 5.53]) and 11 pm (3.97 [1.95, 8.07]). These results hold true even after accounting for demographics, obesity index, and physical fitness score. Conversely, 2–3 h of screen time was significantly associated with sleep onset conditions (2.05 [1.17, 3.58]), whereas >3 h of screen time was not. Our results showed that increased screen time was associated with skipping breakfast, midnight snacks, sleep onset conditions, and less bedtime.

The expression of the forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factor, FoxO, in the skeletal muscle is involved in muscle atrophy caused by disuse, fasting, diabetes, and cachexia. Since inhibition of FoxO activity has been shown to be effective in preventing muscle atrophy in genetically engineered animals, inhibition of FoxO activity by dietary components may contribute to the prevention of muscle atrophy. In this study, 4,006 plant extracts were evaluated for FoxO1 and FoxO3a inhibitory activity using a reporter gene assay system, and the extracts from Cephalotaxus harringtonia showed potent inhibitory activities. These extracts also suppressed dexamethasone-induced expression of FoxO target genes, such as atrogin-1 and cathepsin L in C2C12 myotubes. Furthermore, harringtonine alkaloids, harringtonine and homoharringtonine, contained in Cephalotaxus harringtonia inhibited FoxOs activities and suppressed dexamethasone-induced expression of FoxO target genes in C2C12 myotubes, suggesting that harringtonine alkaloids contributed to the effects observed in C2C12 myotubes treated with Cephalotaxus harringtonia extract. However, these extracts and harringtonine alkaloids did not improve weakness in dexamethasone-atrophic myotubes. In conclusion, harringtonine alkaloids from Cephalotaxus harringtonia suppressed FoxO1 and 3a activity and the expression of their target atrophy genes in C2C12 myotubes, but these alkaloids had no the effect on dexamethasone-induced reduction in muscle contractility.

This study investigated the behavioral effects of intravenous caffeine administration in mice using a modified Irwin test. Thirty-two male ICR mice were divided into four groups and received intravenous doses of caffeine: 0 (control), 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg. Behavioral observations were conducted at 0, 0.25, 1.5, 6, and 24 h post administration. Notable traction, locomotion, and respiratory rate changes were observed at 10 and 20 mg/kg doses. Specifically, traction was altered at 0.25 and 1.5 h in the 10 mg/kg group, with more frequent alterations in the 20 mg/kg group. Increased locomotion (grade 6, characterized by frequent grooming and rapid movement) was observed in all the mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg doses between 0.25 and 1.5 h. Respiratory rate changes were observed only in the 20 mg/kg group during the same period. Our findings indicate that intravenous caffeine exposure significantly affects traction and locomotion, providing valuable insights for safe pharmacological testing of the central nervous system.

By comparing germ-free mice and specific pathogen-free mice, we previously demonstrated that gut commensals upregulate the expression of microRNA-200 family members, i.e., miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, and miR-429, in lamina propria leukocytes (LPLs) of the murine large intestine, and that it results in decreased production of interleukin-2, which is mainly produced by activated CD4⁺ T cells. In the present study, we investigated whether depletion of the gut microbiota by antibiotic treatment reduces the expression of miR-200 family members in T cells of the large intestinal lamina propria in mice. Supplementation of drinking water with antibiotics for 1 wk reduced the number of cecal bacteria in male C57BL/6J mice. LPLs of the large intestine were isolated and separated into T-cell and non-T-cell fractions by magnetic-activated cell sorting. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction results showed that the expression levels of miR-200 family members were higher in the T-cell fraction than in the non-T-cell fraction, and were lower in the T-cell fraction of the antibiotic-treated mice than in that of the control mice. These results suggest that antibiotic-sensitive gut commensals upregulate the expression of miR-200 family members primarily in the T cells of the large intestinal lamina propria in mice.

Skipping breakfast is observed in approximately 30% of youth. Since gastric motility is involved in morning appetite, we conducted a 2-wk nutrition education program for high school dormitory students to encourage breakfast consumption and examined whether gastric myoelectrical activity before breakfast was improved. Gastric motility was assessed by measuring the dominant frequency (DF), derived from power spectrum analysis of normal waves occurring approximately three times per minute, and the percentage (%) normal power. Participants were divided into a normal-gastric motility group (Normal-GM, DF ≥ 2.5 cpm, % normal power ≥50%, n=10) and a low-gastric motility group (Low-GM, DF<2.5 cpm, % normal power <50%, n=7) based on the morning gastric motility index. Nutrition education (i.e. the intervention) was provided to all participants and the same measurements were taken 2 wk later. The results showed an improvement in DF in the Low-GM group (1.99±0.09 cpm to 2.90±0.22 cpm, p=0.008) after the intervention. In addition, % normal power increased significantly only in the Low-GM group (42.9±2.6% to 54.2±2.9%, p=0.047). These results suggest that regular breakfast consumption may help normalize lower morning gastric motility in high school students.