Hypocholesterolemic effect of soymilk supplementation with usual diet in premenopausal normolipidemic Japanese women.

BACKGROUND: The hypocholesterolemic effect of soy protein concentrates on normolipidemic subjects still remains unclear. Our objective is to assess the effect of soymilk supplementation, a whole soy product, with usual diet on serum lipids in normolipidemic subjects. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial on 60 premenopausal normolipidemic Japanese women. After excluding 8 subjects whose initial serum concentration of total cholesterol or triacylglycerol was higher than 220 mg/dL (5.69 mmol/L) or 160 mg/dL (1.81 mmol/L), respectively, we encouraged the subjects in the soymilk-supplemented group (n = 27) to consume 400 mL (408 g) of commercial regular soymilk daily during two menstrual cycles. There were no significant differences in variables, including nutrient intake, between the soymilk-supplemented and control (n = 25) groups before the intervention. RESULTS: After the trial, we observed a significant decrease of 10.9 mg/dL, or 5.3%, in serum concentration of total cholesterol in the soymilk-supplemented group. During the intervention, nutrient intake assessment showed significant increases in nutrient densities of vitamin E, polyunsaturated fatty acids, isoflavones, and P/S ratio and decreases in total energy and nutrient densities of vitamin C and green tea in this group. A statistically significant decrease in serum total cholesterol could still be observed even after excluding the estimated hypocholesterolemic effects of soymilk's polyunsaturated fatty acids. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the hypocholesterolemic effect of soymilk, a traditional whole soy product, in Asian countries in normolipidemic subjects.

Mechanisms mediating the vasorelaxing action of eugenol, a pungent oil, on rabbit arterial tissue.

The inhibitory actions of eugenol on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the contractions induced by excess extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) in rabbit thoracic aorta were investigated. Application of excess [K+]o solution (30-90 mM) produced contraction and increased the intensity of the Ca2+ fluorescence signal. Pretreatment with eugenol (> or =0.1 mM) reduced both the amplitude of contraction and the intensity of the Ca2+ fluorescence signal, but the contraction was more strongly affected than the [Ca2+]i. Application of eugenol (0.3 mM) to tissue precontracted by 90 mM [K+]o solution (immediately after the removal of the 90 mM [K+]o solution) slowed the decay of the [Ca2+]i signal, but it did not change the rate of relaxation. Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrozone (10 microM), a mitochondrial metabolic inhibitor, produced a reduction in tension despite a slight increase in [Ca2+]i when applied to muscle precontracted by 90 mM [K+]o solution. These results indicate that eugenol relaxes the rabbit thoracic aorta while suppressing the Ca2+-sensitivity and both the uptake and extrusion mechanisms for Ca2+. To judge from the similarities between its actions and those of metabolic inhibitors, eugenol may produce its actions at least partly through metabolic inhibition.

Effect of soymilk consumption on serum estrogen concentrations in premenopausal Japanese women.

BACKGROUND: Estrogens have been implicated in the development of breast cancer. Preliminary evidence suggests that consumption of soy products, which contain isoflavones (phytoestrogens), can reduce serum estrogen levels. Our purpose was to determine the effect of soy consumption on serum estrogen levels in premenopausal women by use of a dietary intervention approach. METHODS: Premenopausal Japanese women were randomly assigned to receive either a soymilk-supplemented diet (n = 31) or a normal (control) diet (n = 29). The women in the soymilk-supplemented group were asked to consume about 400 mL of soymilk (containing about 109 mg of isoflavones) daily during a study period that involved three consecutive menstrual cycles. Follicular-phase blood samples were to be obtained in the menstrual cycles preceding (cycle 1) and following (cycle 3) the 2-month dietary intervention. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: At the end of the study period, estrone and estradiol levels were decreased by 23% and 27%, respectively, in the soymilk-supplemented group and were increased by 0.6% and 4%, respectively, in the control group. The changes for each hormone between the two groups were not statistically significantly different. In the soymilk-supplemented group, menstrual cycle length was increased by nearly 2 days, and, in the control group, it was decreased by approximately 1 day, a difference that was not statistically significant. A subgroup analysis restricted to subjects who provided follicular-phase blood samples on the same day or 1 day apart in menstrual cycles 1 and 3 showed a reduction in serum estrone levels in the soymilk-supplemented group that was of borderline statistical significance (P = .07 for change in serum estrone level in soymilk-supplemented group versus control group). CONCLUSION: Much larger studies will be required to confirm the ability of soy products to reduce serum estrogen levels.

Molecular cloning and characterization of aldehyde oxidases in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Using degenerate primers designed by deduced amino acid sequences of known aldehyde oxidases (AO) from maize and bovine, two independent cDNA fragments were amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The two corresponding full-length cDNAs (atAO-1 and atAO-2; 4,484 and 4,228 bp long, respectively) were cloned by screening the Arabidopsis cDNA library followed by rapid amplification of cDNA end-PCR. These cDNAs are highly homologous at both the nucleotide and amino acid sequence levels, and the deduced amino acid sequences showed high similarity with those of maize and tomato AOs. They contain consensus sequences for two iron-sulfur centers and a molybdenum cofactor (MoCo)-binding domain. In addition, another cDNA having a sequence similar to that of the cDNAs was screened (atAO-3; 3,049 bp), and a putative AO gene (AC002376) was reported on chromosome 1, which (atAO-4) was distinct from, but very similar to, the above three AOs. atAO-1, 2, 3, and 4 were physically mapped on chromosomes 5, 3, 2 and 1, respectively. These data indicate that there is an AO multigene family in Arabidopsis. atAO-1 protein was shown to be highly similar to one of the maize AOs in respect to a region thought to be involved in determination of substrate specificity, suggesting that they might encode a similar type of AO, which could efficiently oxidize indole-3-acetaldehyde to indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). atAO-1 and atAO-2 genes were expressed at higher levels in lower hypocotyls and roots of the wild-type seedlings, while atAO-3 was slightly higher in cotyledons and upper hypocotyls. The expression of atAO-1 was more abundant in the seedlings of an IAA overproducing mutant (superroot1; sur1) than in those of wild type. atAO-2 and atAO-3 transcripts were rather evenly distributed in these seedlings. A possible involvement of atAO genes in phytohormone biosynthesis in Arabidopsis is discussed.

[Transurethral microwave thermotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

BACKGROUND: We studied the clinical efficacy of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) using Endotherm UMW system (OLYMPUS). METHODS: TUMT was performed in 28 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Three patients of them were catheterized because of urinary retention. The treatment was performed in a single session for an hour. The urethral surface temperature was set at 39 degrees C, and the coolant flow of the urethral applicator (21 Fr balloon catheter) was set at 30 ml/min, to heat up the broad area of the prostate up to 45 degrees C. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by analyzing subjective responses, using the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) scale (S) and QOL score (L), and objective responses, using peak urinary flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), residual urine volume and prostate volume following the treatment. RESULTS: At 24 weeks after the treatment, significant improvement were observed in S score (41%), L score (37%), Qmax (53%) and Qave (62%). Although there was no significant decrease in residual urine and prostate volume. The three patients, with a catheter indwelled because of urinary retention, were all free of the catheter within 4 weeks after the treatment. During and after the treatment, no severe adverse effects, including transient urinary retention needed for indwelling a catheter, was detected. CONCLUSION: A single session of TUMT by Endotherm UMW considered to be safe and useful for symptomatic BPH patients, even who are not indicated for transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) because of underlying disorders.

Unapproved use of high-dose combined pills in Japan: a community study on prevalence and health characteristics of the users.

BACKGROUND: Because of the ban on oral contraceptive use in Japan, only high-dose combined pills (HDCP), permitted as treatment for menstrual disorders, can be used as a contraceptive. We determined the prevalence of the use of such preparations in a community in Japan and assessed the health characteristics of the users. METHODS: A total of 18,435 female residents age 35 years and over in a city of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, responded in 1992 to a health questionnaire that included questions on the use of HDCP, lifestyle, and dietary habits. The response rate was 92%. RESULTS: The rates of current and past HDCP use were 1.3 and 7.1%, respectively, among women ages 35-49 years, and 2.2% of the women had used HDCP for longer than any other method of contraception. Current HDCP users were more likely to be smokers. They had lower intakes of carotene, fiber, and vitamins C and E and a lower polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio than never-users. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HDCP use was 1.3% among Japanese women ages 35-49 years. Potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as smoking and a diet with lower intakes of antioxidants, were prevalent among current HDCP users.

Inhibitory effect of acetylshikonin on the activation of NADPH oxidase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in both whole cell and cell-free systems.

The effects of acetylshikonin (AS) on the activation of NADPH oxidase (EC 1.6.99.6) in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in both whole cell and cell-free activation systems were investigated. When PMNs were treated with AS before exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), superoxide (O2-) generation in these cells was significantly reduced, but after exposure of PMNs to PMA, inhibition of O2- generation by AS did not occur. Thiol compounds completely abolished the inhibitory effect of AS on the O2- generating activity of PMNs. In the cell-free system, AS inhibited the activation of NADPH oxidase induced by myristate in a combination of cytosol and membrane fractions obtained from intact PMNs, but did not inhibit the activity of NADPH oxidase already induced. These results suggest that AS inhibits the generation of NADPH oxidase complex in the activation of respiratory burst of PMNs, but does not directly inhibit the activity of NADPH oxidase already generated.

Hemodynamics of hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage evaluated by Xenon-enhanced computed tomography and acetazolamide test.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is usually decreased in patients with hypertensive putaminal hemorrhage (HPH). However, there are few reports concerning cerebrovascular reserve capacity (CRC) in these cases. This study evaluated cerebral hemodynamics in patients with HPH by measuring CBF and CRC. CBF and CRC were measured by stable xenon enhanced computed tomography (Xe-CT) in 11 patients with HPH (HPH group) and 11 patients with essential hypertension without intracerebral hematoma (non-HPH group). CBFs of the hemisphere and thalamus in the HPH group were lower than those in the non-HPH group. And the CBF of the hemisphere was increased transiently after the surgical evacuation of the hematoma. Thereafter, it fell gradually. The CRCs were also lower in acute stage of the HPH group. The CRC recovered during the chronic stage. Hemodynamics in patients with HPH can be modulated by surgical removal of hematoma. However, some adjunct therapies are necessary to prevent delayed neuronal inactivity, Stable Xe-CT with acetazolamide test is useful to evaluate hemodynamics in the HPH patients.

Frequent hard physical activity lowered serum beta-carotene level in a population study of a rural city of Japan.

To determine the effect of physical activity on serum beta-carotene, we analyzed data about life styles including 3-day food records and blood samples collected from 57 men and 74 women in a rural city of Japan. Physical activity was asked as mean frequency of hard physical activities per week last year. A declining trend in serum beta-carotene was observed with increasing frequency of hard physical activities in men. In multiple regression analyses, the frequency of hard physical activities showed a negative partial correlation coefficient (r = -0.38, p = 0.007) with serum beta-carotene in men when controlled by age, BMI (body mass index), dietary factors (carotene intake, alcohol consumption and vitamin supplements use), smoking status, serum total cholesterol and serum triglycerides. These results suggest that frequent hard physical activity decreases serum beta-carotene especially in men.