Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) contains abundant nutrients, including glycogen, vitamins, zinc and taurine. It is reported that Oyster extract exhibited anti-oxidative effect, anxiolytic-like effects and several physiological activities in mice.

In this pilot study using three male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), we reported evaluation of effect of oyster extract on stress in cynomolgus monkey by analysis of blood glucose, serum cortisol, serum DHEA and serum adrenalin levels.

Oyster extract administrated. After 7 days of administration of test substance, light-stress was induced and the stress marker was measured.

The number of monkeys used for the experiment was three and the statistical inference was not performed. There were no difference in blood glucose and DHEA level between control group and oyster extract. Oyster extract group had lower serum cortisol level in the endocrine system of the stress transmission, than control group. In serum adrenaline level in the autonomic nervous system of the stress transmission pathway, control group rapidly increased 2 hours after administration. However, oyster extract had only a moderate rise.

Because the outcomes of the study were tentative and exploratory, any conclusion cannot be advocated until further confirmatory study.

Nutritional zinc deficiency leads to immune dysfunction and aggravates inflammation. The number of white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets increases as part of the inflammatory response and may aggravate inflammation due to viral or bacterial infections. We elucidated whether the effects of zinc deficiency on blood indices were related to the inflammatory response. Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a zinc-deficient diet (without zinc additives) or a standard diet (containing 0.01% zinc) for 6 weeks. The mean body weight in the zinc-deficient group decreased compared to the standard group. The mean value of the serum malondialdehyde concentration in the zinc-deficient group was higher than that in the standard group. Furthermore, serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Cu/ Zn-SOD activities in the zinc-deficient group were lower than those in the standard group. The numbers of WBCs and platelets in the zinc-deficient group were higher than those in the standard group. These findings indicate that the inflammatory response, and concurrently WBC and platelet numbers, was increased after 6 weeks of zinc deficiency. Augmentation of the inflammatory response may have involved infiltration of bacteria and viruses from dermatitis, as well as changes in the balance between zinc and copper in the blood, which inhibited the antioxidant enzymes Cu/Zn-SOD, ultimately resulting in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species.

As lanthanum (La) can bind phosphate in a wide pH range, it is used as a phosphate binder for patients with chronic renal failure. To clarify the influence of dietary composition on the phosphate-binding ability of La, the bioaccessibility of phosphorus (P) in different meals and feeds with or without supplemented La was measured. Lyophilized powder of a hospital breakfast (mainly composed of bread and dairy products), a hospital lunch (mainly composed of rice and grilled fish) and a hospital supper (mainly composed of rice and deep fried chicken), as well as powder of animal feeds composed of casein, soybean isolate protein or wheat gluten were used. Lanthanum carbonate was added at 5 mg La/g for the hospital meals and at 5 to 20 mg La/g for the animal feeds. One g of each sample with and without La was incubated with 10 mL of 0.1 M HCl containing 0.5% pepsin at 37°C for 2 h. After the pepsin digestion, pancreatin (final concentration, 0.5%) was added and the digest was further incubated at pH 7.4 and 37°C for 8 h. After the pepsin digestion, the bioaccessibility of P in the lunch and dinner samples was reduced by La, and was further decreased after the pancreatin digestion. In the breakfast sample, the effects of La were first noted after the pancreatin digestion. The degree of reduction was in the order of dinner > lunch > breakfast samples. In all meals, the amount of soluble La in water was less than 1 %, but it increased to 71-94% with 0.1 M HCl. After the pancreatin digestion, the amount of soluble La in the lunch and dinner samples returned to approximately 1 %; however, that in the breakfast sample was 32%. In the case of animal feeds, the degree of reduction of soluble P by La was in the order of gluten > soybean > casein, and the amount of soluble La after the pancreatin digestion was significantly higher in the casein feed than in the other feeds. These results suggest that binding of La to phosphate occurs either in the stomach or duodenum, but not in the stomach, and binding is considered to be low in the presence of dairy products. In addition, La may be solubilized by gastric juice and then be mostly re-precipitated in the duodenum. On the other hand, when dairy products are present, some La remains soluble even in the duodenum.

Biological activity of quinoline and quinolone compounds was analyzed in relation to the generation of reactive oxygen species. Prooxidant properties of quinoline compounds including 8-hydroxyquinoline and its halogenated derivative, clioquinol that is known to induce SMON (subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy), and the quinolone compound, levofloxacine known as an antifungal agent were analyzed. 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-OHQ) and levoflaxacin/iron complex inactivated aconitase, the most sensitive enzyme to oxidative stress. The inactivation required cyanide, an inhibitor of Cu/Zn SOD and cytochrome c oxidase, indicating that superoxide anion radical may be responsible for the inactivation of aconitase. Stimulating effect of 8-OHQ and levoflaxacin on the autooxidation of Fe²⁺ suggests that these compounds promoted the reduction of dioxygen molecule by ferrous ion. Clioquinol/iron complex also inactivated aconitase in the presence of cyanide, but clioquinol maintained the iron at reduced state without stimulation of the Fe²⁺ autooxidation, suggesting that clioquinol can generate ferryl ion (Fe²⁺−O), a strong reactive oxygen, resulting in the oxidative inactivation of aconitase.

The present study investigated the effects of exogenously supplemented selenite and seleno-l-methionine (SeM) on variations in gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. After cultivation at 25°C for 4 weeks with 1 ppm selenite and SeM, growth parameters and selenium contents were measured and the expression of A. thaliana genes was comprehensively analyzed using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. The fresh weight of plants was approximately 60% lower following the exposure to 1.0 ppm of selenite and SeM. RNA-seq showed that gene ontology terms related to response to chitin, response to water deprivation, response to wounding, plant-type cell wall loosening, transcription, and DNA-templated were enriched between the selenite and SeM groups. Furthermore, plant hormone signal transduction, plant-pathogen interaction, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism were confirmed between the selenite and SeM groups by a pathway analysis. The expression levels of methionine gamma-lyase, which is involved in the metabolism of selenocompounds, significantly differed between the experimental groups. These results provide insights into the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying the effects of exogenously supplemented selenite and SeM on A. thaliana.

Several researchers suggested that magnesium (Mg) deficiency induces metabolic disturbance in the liver. Skeletal muscle is an important organ for metabolism such as glucose and amino acids, and skeletal muscle is one of the organs affected by Mg deficiency. Because Mg deficiency is known to decrease feed intake, some researches adopted a pair-feeding control diet. However, restricted feeding changes feed-intake pattern, i.e., rapid and large consumption of feed just after feeding, which probably affect many metabolisms. In the present experiment, we determined low-molecular-weight and hydrophilic metabolite concentrations by non-targeted semi-quantitative analysis with GC-MS/MS in skeletal muscle of ovariectomized (OVX) rats because OVX induces hyperphagia and Mg deficiency is unlikely to induce the reduction of feed intake in OVX rats. Although Mg deficiency did not affect feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency were decreased in the Mg-deficient rats. One hundred and twenty-one metabolites were identified in the gastrocnemius muscle, in which 15 metabolite concentrations were affected by Mg deficiency. An enrichment analysis showed that Mg deficiency affected pentose phosphate pathway, purine metabolism, and pantothenic acid and CoA biogenesis. These results suggest that Mg deficiency disturbs these metabolisms in the skeletal muscle, which may be one of pathogenesis of Mg-deficient diseases.

Improving productivity of chicken has been important for the poultry industry. In general, meat-type chickens grow up faster than egg-type chickens. We focused on this phenotype and speculated that this difference could be caused by the difference of growth-related metabolites of plasma immediately after hatching. If such metabolites are identified, it may contribute to the improvement of growth performance of chickens. Therefore, we compared plasma metabolites in meat-type (MT) and egg-type (ET) chicks immediately after hatching by GC/MS un-targeted metabolomic analysis. 53 metabolites were identified and of which 18 metabolites were significantly different between MT and ET. Among them, it seemed important that pantothenic acid, one of important micronutrients, were larger in MT than in ET. These results suggest that some metabolites, especially pantothenic acid, might contribute to growth of chickens.

The main components of oyster extract (Crassostrea gigas) include zinc, glycogen, and taurine, and oyster extract powder is currently being marketed as a supplement. However, few studies have investigated the effects of dietary oyster extract on the gut microbiome. The present study demonstrated the effects of oyster extract on the composition of bacteria in the cecal contents of rats fed a high-fat diet. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups and fed an AIN-93G diet (LF diet), AIN-93G modified high-fat diet (HF diet), and 5 % (w/w) oyster extract-containing HF diet (HFOE diet) for four weeks. The composition of gut microbiome species were compared in samples using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing with the Ion PGM system (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus in cecal contents was significantly lower with the HF diet than with the LF diet, whereas no significant differences were observed between the HFOE and LF diets. Therefore, oyster extract may increase the abundance of Lactobacillus, which was reduced by the HF diet. These results suggest the potential of oyster extract supplementation to improve the composition of gut bacteria.

Siphonaxanthin is a specific and unique carotenoid in marine green algae, such as Caulerpa lentillifera and Codium cylindricum. It has been reported that siphonaxanthin possesses significant biological activities. However, there are less information about the content and distribution of siphonaxanthin among green algae. In this study, we examined the content of carotenoids, especially siphonaxanthin, in 19 species of green algae. Siphonaxanthin and siphonein were detected in 11 species, and it was shown that their sampling depth is positively correlated with their siphonaxanthin content. By characterization of the carotenoid composition, algae examined in this study were classified into siphonaxanthin-rich, loroxanthin-rich, and lutein-rich groups. The principle component analysis of each carotenoid content corresponded to the biological classification of the algae. Our results would possibly contribute the elucidation of siphonaxanthin biosynthesis pathway.

The present study was conducted to clarify the effects of supplemental water-soluble β-carotene (WS-BC) in maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation on IgA induction in the intestine and mammary glands of lactating mice and IgA transfer from maternal milk to neonatal mice. From 6.5 days postcoitus to 14 days postpartum, maternal mice were fed rodent feed or 50 mg/kg WS-BC-supplemented rodent feed. Supplemental WS-BC increased the numbers of IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in the ileum and mammary glands of lactating mice, but the numbers of IgA ASC in the jejunum and IgA concentrations in the serum, jejunum, ileum, mammary glands and feces were not affected by the treatment. Supplemental WS-BC increased IgA concentrations in the stomach contents of neonatal mice at 2 days of age, but supplemental WS-BC had no effects on IgA concentrations in serum, stomach contents, intestines and feces of neonatal mice at 14 days of age. Supplemental WS-BC increased the mRNA expressions of CCL25 in the ileum of lactating mice and tended to increase the mRNA expressions of IgA C-region in the ileum. These results imply that supplementation of WS-BC in maternal mice during pregnancy and lactation is effective to increase the numbers of IgA ASC in the ileum and mammary glands of lactating mice.

"Yukishita" carrot, or snow carrot, is a branded vegetable produced in heavy snow areas where the vegetable is embedded in snow during winter. This snow carrot is known to have a good flavor via its adaptive response of cold acclimation to obtain freezing resistance. In the present study, we investigated the nutrient composition, carotenoid content, antioxidative activity, and flavor of a novel snow carrot of Kyo-kurenai in comparison with those of traditional Hamabeni snow carrot. Regarding the constituents, Kyo-kurenai snow carrot had very similar nutrient composition and taste components to those of Hamabeni snow carrot. In contrast, the level of lycopene in the Kyo-kurenai snow carrot was 20 times higher than that of the Hamabeni snow carrot, while its total carotenoid content was comparable to that of the Hamabeni snow carrot. Further, antioxidative activities evaluated by electronic spin resonance (ESR) method for water-soluble components and by singlet oxygen absorption capacity (SOAC) method for carotenoids were higher in the Kyo-kurenai snow carrot than those in the Hamabeni snow carrot. The analyses of volatile compounds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and taste components by taste sensor suggested that these snow carrots have similar odor and taste components, although the sensory evaluation of the Kyo-kurenai snow carrot resulted in lower score of overall quality as compared to that of the Hamabeni snow carrot. Taken together, these results indicate that the Kyo-kurenai snow carrot has both properties of high antioxidative activity due to its high lycopene content and good flavor comparable to that of the traditional Hamabeni snow carrot.

We investigated the relationship between dietary habits and the intake of folic acid using the food frequency questionnaire. The participants were 244 freshmen or sophomore female students (average age of 18.9 years) in the dietitian course at universities in Osaka and Nara, Japan. The average folic acid intake of the 244 participants was 221.2±64.6 μg/day. Regarding their current meal situation, the 37 students who replied "good" had a folic acid intake of 247.2±65.0 μg/day, and the 100 students who replied "problematic" had an intake of 203.4±52.5 μg/day. The folic acid intake of those who replied "good" was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of those who replied "problematic". Next, the relationship between the current meal situation and food intake was examined. Regarding the intake of green-yellow vegetables, that of 37 students who replied "good" was 79.4±42.9 g/day, that of 107 students who replied "neither good nor problematic" was 68.6±44.2 g/day, and that of 100 students who replied "problematic" was 54.3±29.2 g/day. Students who replied "problematic" had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) intake of green-yellow vegetables than students who replied "good" or "neither good nor problematic". Furthermore, the intake of seaweed of the 37 students who replied "good" was 4.9±7.5 g/day and that of the 100 students who replied "problematic" was 2.5±2.9 g/day. The seaweed intake of students who replied "problematic" was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the students who replied "good". Based on the current meal situation in the dietary habits survey, students who replied "good" had a higher intake of folic acid-containing foods than the other students who replied either "neither good nor problematic" or "problematic". We found that the intake of folic acid is influenced by dietary habits. In order to promote the intake of folic acid to reduce the risk of neural tube defects, opportunities to learn about folic acid and dietary habits should be provided.

According to the reports from western countries in recent years, the intake of folic acid is significant role for decreasing the risk of congenital abnormalities, especially neural tube disclosure disorders. The folic acid has important roles for proliferation and development of living things. We investigated the intake of folic acid as oral vitamin supplements in thirty eight pregnant women residents in Kobe. In the case of subjects using folic acid supplements, folic acid were taken 520.0±190.4 μg/d in first trimester pregnant women (n = 4), 500.0±252.0 μg/d (n = 7) in second trimester pregnant women, 339.0±123.9 μg/d (n = 10) in third trimester pregnant women. The intake level of folic acid of pregnant women using folic acid supplements is largely satisfied the additional intake level 400 μg/d in pregnant women recommended by the ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan. We will further investigate the intakes of micronutrients including vitamins for Japanese pregnant women’s health.

The rare earth elements are a group of 17 elements including scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), and lanthanoids from lanthanum (La) to lutetium (Lu). These elements are used in industrial materials such as capacitors and lenses and also play active physiological and biological roles in the human body. On the other hand, calcineurin (CN), also known as protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B), is a Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein, and Ser/Thr phosphatase is recognized as a therapeutic target for the immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin A and FK506. In this study, we examined the effects of rare earth elements, including lanthanum ions (La³⁺), in vitro on the phosphatase activity of CN using recombinant human calcineurin (rhCN) from Escherichia coli and RII phosphopeptide as a substrate. We found that rhCN activity was inhibited by rare earth elements including La³⁺. To further examine the effect of La³⁺ inhibition on rhCN activity, we performed kinetic analysis. According to a Lineweaver–Burk plot, the phosphatase activity of rhCN showed mixed type inhibition. The inhibition constants were 7.0 μM for rhCN and 10.2 μM for rhCN-R II phosphopeptide complex.

Urinary iodine excretion was measured in seven male university students taking 3 g of kombu product (iodine content, 2.61 mg/g). Urinary iodine excretion rate increased within 2 h after the kombu ingestion, reached a maximum at 4 to 6 h, and then returned to a base-line level at 42.8 h after the ingestion. A half-life of the excretion rate was estimated to be 9.13 h. Proportion of urinary iodine excretion to the ingested iodine was estimated to be 53.1% at 16 h, 63.6% at 30 h and 65.6% at 42.8 h after the ingestion. These results indicate that at most 70% of iodine in kombu are absorbed and rapidly excreted into urine within 2 days after the ingestion.

Selenium (Se) is one of essential micronutrients for mammals and several bacteria. But selenium causes rapid toxicity depending on the type and concentration of Se species. Many lactic acid bacteria are able to detoxify inorganic Se to elemental selenium [Se (0)] and to organic forms like selenocysteine (SeCys), selenomethionine (SeMet), and methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys). Se-enriched probiotics and fermented foods have some health benefits, e.g. antioxidative and antimutagenic. For example, administration of sodium selenite in the dosage of 1-16 mg/L is suitable for selenium enrichment in Lactobacillus bulgaricus and can enhance nutritive value and biological effect in the organism by elevating the contents of essential elements including P, Mg, Mn, Ca, and total amino acids.

In this mini review, we describe the accumulation and biotransformation of Se by lactic acid bacteria and the selenium-enriched functional fermented foods produced with lactic acid bacteria.

Zinc is an essential trace element in humans. It is involved in numerous cellular processes and plays a role in the structural and catalytic functions of many cellular proteins. Therefore, its deficiency causes a myriad of pathophysiological symptoms in human patients. Recent studies have revealed that the number of people with marginal zinc deficiency has increased in Japan. Thus, zinc has started to receive great attention as a key factor for promoting good health.

Dietary zinc is absorbed in the intestine and then released into the bloodstream for delivery to the target tissues, including the liver. Many zinc transporters are expressed in the enterocytes and hepatocytes and known to be important for controlling systemic and cellular zinc homeostasis. In the enterocytes, ZIP4, located in the apical membrane, takes up dietary zinc from the intestinal lumen, whereas ZNT1, which is located in the basolateral membrane, releases the zinc into the portal blood. The expression of these transporters is dynamically regulated by zinc status. On the other hand, in the hepatocytes, ZIP14 plays a significant role in cellular zinc metabolism, and the expression level of this transporter is up-regulated by inflammation. In this review article, we briefly describe the mechanisms involved in the expression of zinc transporters, with a focus on the current progress towards understanding the roles of zinc transporters in zinc homeostasis and metabolism.

Emerging evidence suggested that the enhancement of thermogenic activity in brown adipocytes or beige adipocytes is an attractive target for the management of obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders, including diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Several environmental stimuli, such as cold exposure and exercise, could activate brown adipose tissue function. Moreover, several food factors have also been shown to be effective stimuli to activate thermogenic brown adipose tissue function not only in experimental animals but also humans. Here, we summarized selected food factors which could activate thermogenic functions in brown and beige adipocytes. Furthermore, we also described proposed mechanisms underlying those dietary factors to promote thermogenic brown adipose tissue function. Characterizing thermogenic dietary factors might be important to create novel nutritional intervention strategies aimed at obesity and obesity-related metabolic disease prevention and management.