The effects of dietary propionyl triglyceride (PTG) on body weight gain, the microflora and organic acid concentration in feces and cecal contents were studied in rats. The body weight gain over 14 days in the group given 5% PTG was lowest in comparison with PTG-free (control) and 1% and 3% PTG groups. However, there were no significant differences among the control and PTG groups. The concentrations of acetate, valerate and lactate in the feces of the PTG groups were higher than those in the control group, but the propionate concentration did not differ among the groups. In the cecal contents of the PTG groups, the concentrations of lactate and succinate were higher, and the propionate concentration was lower than in the control group. The numbers of Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella, and E. coli were significantly decreased in the feces and cecal contents of the. PTG groups, but the Bifidobacterium count was increased.

View full abstract

There are reports that green tea does not inhibit iron absorption from chalybeate. However, these reports did not pay sufficient attention to experimental conditions, such as subject age and nutritional status. We therefore determined the effect of a commercially available green tea beverage on iron absorption from a sodium ferrous citrate preparation (containing 100mg iron) in 50 healthy female students aged 18-24yr with similar nutritional status. The subjects were divided into 4 groups: controls, those drinking a commercial green tea beverage containing 110mg tannin and 47.6mg ascorbic acid (Tea), those drinking chalybeate (Fe), and those drinking chalybeate with the commercial green tea beverage (Fe+Tea). We then examined serum Fe, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) and ferritin. Three hours after administration in the Fe and the Fe+Tea groups, the serum Fe level was significantly higher (p<0.001) and UIBC was significantly lower (p<0.001) than in the control and the Tea groups. The serum Fe and UIBC in the Fe group were not significantly different from those in the Fe+Tea group. From these results, we conclude that in young women, iron absorption from sodium ferrous citrate is not inhibited by commercially available green tea beverages containing ascorbic acid.

View full abstract

Kurozu, a brewed rice vinegar prepared by a traditional method in Kagoshima, Japan, has long been used as a health-promoting food. We examined the radical scavenging activity of Kurozu on 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and its antioxidant effect on lipid peroxidation of human low-density lipoprotein (LDL). We confirmed that Kurozu scavenged DPPH radicals directly in solution. We also showed that Kurozu had a dose-dependent antioxidant effect on copper-mediated LDL oxidation. These findings suggest that dietary intake of Kurozu might reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

View full abstract

We examined the possible chromosomal damaging effect of oxidized oil on mouse bone marrow. The oxidized oils employed were oxidized methyl linoleate (PV4, 500meq/kg) and oxidized methyl linolenate (PV 3, 500meq/kg). Male ICR mice (4 or 6 weeks old) were given various daily doses of either oxidized methyl linoleate (up to 150mg/mouse) or oxidized methyl linolenate (up to 100mg/mouse) by intragastric gavage for 12 days. During the experimental period, peripheral blood was taken every few days for micronucleus assay, which can reveal chromosomal damage in bone marrow. Treatment with the oxidized oil at any dose did not induce chromosomal damage at any time point. Concentrations of vitamin E and glutathione in the bone marrow or liver were decreased only slightly by the treatment, indicating slight induction of oxidative stress by the treatment. The apparent lack of any chromosomal damage by the oxidized oil in the bone marrow is discussed.

View full abstract

Life-style-related disease such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are heterogeneous and overlapping disorders, both having strong genetic components. Visceral fat obesity is a particularly strong risk factor for insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The β₃-adrenergic receptor (β₃-AR) is a seven-membrane-spanning receptor expressed in brown and white adipose tissues, and it is thought to regulate thermogenesis and lipolysis. A polymorphism (Trp64Arg) in the β₃-AR gene at the junction between the first transmembrane domain and the first intracellular loop is prevalent in diverse populations including Pima Indians and Japanese. A Trp64Arg polymorphism in the β₃-AR is associated with obesity, several features of hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance, and increased blood pressure, as well as decreased metabolic rate and earlier onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The current consensus is that the Trp64Arg polymorphism is a modest contributor to obesity and obesity-related traits (a “thrifty genotype”) and that ethnic background and possibly gender are important determinants of phenotypic expression. Furthermore, obese Japanese women with the Trp64Arg polymorphism are more resistant to weight-loss treatment, suggesting that this polymorphism is clinically relevant. An update and critical review of obesity-related SNPs and treatment of obesity are also discussed.

View full abstract