Matcha green tea beverage moderates fatigue and supports resistance training-induced adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Resistance training adaptively increases muscle strength and mass, contributing to athletic performance and health promotion. Dietary intervention with natural foods provides nutrients that help accelerate muscle adaptation to training. Matcha green tea contains several bioactive factors such as antioxidants, amino acids, and dietary fibers; however, its effect on muscle adaptation is unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of matcha beverage intake on muscle adaptation to resistance training. METHODS: Healthy, untrained men were randomized into placebo and matcha groups. Participants consumed either a matcha beverage containing 1.5 g of matcha green tea powder or a placebo beverage twice a day and engaged in resistance training programs for 8 (trial 1) or 12 weeks (trial 2). RESULTS: In trial 1, maximum leg strength after training tended to increase more in the matcha group than that in the placebo group. In the matcha group, subjective fatigue after exercise at 1 week of training was lower than that in the placebo group. Gut microbe analysis showed that the abundance of five genera changed after matcha intake. The change in Ruminococcus, Butyricimonas, and Oscillospira compositions positively correlated with the change in maximum strength. In trial 2, the change in skeletal muscle mass in response to training was larger in the matcha group. In addition, the salivary cortisol level was lower in the matcha group than that in the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Daily intake of matcha green tea beverages may help in muscle adaptation to training, with modulations in stress and fatigue responses and microbiota composition.

Evaluation of post-colostrum ingestion changes in the protein composition of peripheral blood of newborn piglets: A pilot study.

Putatively, colostral proteins are partly absorbed and transferred to blood circulation in newborn piglets, which suggests that colostrum ingestion alters the protein composition of their blood. Here, we conducted a pilot study to estimate the changes in the protein composition of piglet blood. Plasma collected from piglets pre- and post-ingestion of colostrum (PreC and PostC) was analyzed by shotgun proteomics. Proteins in colostrum were also analyzed. We identified 393 and 427 proteins in PreC and PostC plasma, respectively, and 596 colostral proteins. Whereas 202 unique proteins were identified in PostC, PreC and PostC commonly shared 225 proteins. By contrast, when compared with PreC, 54 proteins in PostC had their emPAI values increased >2-fold. Notably, using plasma samples collected from a separate experiment, the concentrations of growth differentiation factor 8 and haptoglobin were higher in PostC than in PreC, which was validated by ELISA. Approximately 60% of the uniquely identified or highly concentrated proteins in PostC were also found in colostrum, which were likely, at least partly, transferred from colostrum. The present study demonstrated that the protein composition of plasma of newborn piglets drastically changed post-colostrum ingestion, partly due to transfer of colostral proteins.

Highest concentration of breast-milk-derived exosomes in colostrum.

BACKGROUND: Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles, that play important roles in intercellular immune regulation. They have potential therapeutic utility for neonatal diseases including necrotizing enterocolitis. Breast-milk-derived exosomes have recently shown beneficial effects on intestinal damage in vitro and in vivo. However, the chronological change in breast-milk-derived exosome concentrations after delivery are unclear. METHODS: In this prospective study, we enrolled 17 mothers who delivered premature infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit in Japan. We measured the consecutive concentrations of breast-milk-derived exosomes in the mothers for 48 weeks after delivery. RESULTS: The median concentration of breast-milk-derived exosomes was 1.62 × 108 particles/ml in colostrum, showing a significant decrease after 2 weeks (P < 0.01). There was no association between the exosome concentration in colostrum and maternal perinatal factors including parity, mode of delivery, maternal age, and gestational age at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that breast-milk-derived exosomes were the richest in colostrum. Our basic data regarding breast-milk-derived exosomes are expected to aid in the clinical application of exosomes for treating neonatal diseases.

Composition and physiological functions of the porcine colostrum.

The first secretion, 24-h post parturition of the mammary glands of sows, known as colostrum, is high in protein and low in lactose and fat. As a consequence of an insufficient ingestion of colostrum, more than 50% of piglets fail to reach weaning and die. The composition and some functions of colostrum have been previously reported. For example, colostrum carbohydrates consist of mainly lactose. Lipids in the colostrum are mostly triacylglycerols, but <1% is fatty acids, which may act as homeostasis regulators. Similarly, proteins are found mostly as casein and whey, the latter being ≥80% immunoglobulins. Colostrum-derived immunoglobulins and bioactive proteins such as azurocidin help the immune system of the piglet fend off infections. In addition, leukocytes and exosomes are other minor but nonetheless equally crucial bioactive components in the porcine colostrum. Modern pig farming has achieved increases in pig productivity and litter size, but this has been accomplished in detriment of the health and the survival rate of piglets. Therefore, porcine colostrum is now even more important in pig farming. In the present review, we discuss the current knowledge on the composition and physiological functions of the porcine colostrum and briefly propose future research directions.

Preliminary investigation of the use of dietary supplementation with probiotic Bacillus subtilis strain QST713 shows that it attenuates antimicrobial-induced dysbiosis in weaned piglets.

Growth performance of pigs has been associated with healthy gut microbiota. To improve production, pigs are usually treated with antimicrobials. Nonetheless, while antimicrobials harm the gut-indigenous microbiota, probiotic supplementation seems to help keep it healthy. Here, using antimicrobials, we artificially induced dysbiosis in pigs and evaluated a possible preventive effect of probiotic supplementation. Three 6-week-old piglets were given a basal feed, and 3 more the feed supplemented with 2.0 × 106  CFU of Bacillus subtilis QST713/g of feed. After 14 days, antimicrobial enrofloxacin (5 mg/kg B.W.) was injected intramuscularly to all pigs on days 14-16. Feces were collected on days 14, 17, 19, 21, and 23. Total bacteria count was unaffected by enrofloxacin or QST713. However, Lactobacillus spp. and, in particular, Escherichia coli were affected by enrofloxacin, the latter not being observed in the feces on days 17 and 19. Interestingly, a reciprocal increase in E. coli was observed in control pigs on days 21 and 23, although in QST713-supplemented piglets, this increase was attenuated. While the gut microbiota composition did not return to initial levels in antimicrobial-administered piglets, it did in QST713-supplemented piglets. QST713 supplementation was likely crucial to keep the microbiota of piglets healthy.

Poor Bifidobacterial Colonization Is Associated with Late Provision of Colostrum and Improved with Probiotic Supplementation in Low Birth Weight Infants.

This study aimed to evaluate the association between bifidobacterial colonization in low birth weight infants and perinatal factors, including the timing of initial colostrum and the effect of probiotics on this colonization. In this non-randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 98 low-birth-weight infants from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Japan. Infants were divided into three groups: group N (no intervention), group H (received non-live bifidobacteria), and group L (received live bifidobacteria). The number of bifidobacteria in the infants' stools at 1 month of age was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We divided infants into "rich bifidobacteria" (≥104.8 cells/g feces) and "poor bifidobacteria" (<104.8 cells/g feces) subgroups. The ratio of "rich bifidobacteria" infants was 20/31, 34/36, and 30/30 in groups N, H, and L, respectively. In group N, the "rich bifidobacteria" group received first colostrum significantly earlier than the "poor bifidobacteria" group (1 day vs. 4 days, P < 0.05). Compared with the N group, both groups H and L had a significantly high proportion of "rich bifidobacteria" infants (P < 0.05). Bifidobacterial colonization was poor in premature infants at 1 month compared with term infants, and the level of colonization was associated with the timing of initial provision of colostrum. Providing probiotics to premature infants can improve bifidobacterial colonization.

Probiotic supplementation improves reproductive performance of unvaccinated farmed sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus.

We investigated if probiotic supplementation could improve the health and reproductive performance of unvaccinated lactating sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus. Twenty unvaccinated pregnant sows were equally allocated to probiotic-supplemented (P) and control (C) groups. For the experiment, 15 g/day of probiotic compound BIO-THREE PZ was given to P sows. Reproductive performance was checked daily. The number of neonates fostered by each sow was maintained at eight throughout the experiment. Individual milk production post-parturition was measured twice. Milk protein and fat ratios were determined by a milk analyzer. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) A and G concentrations were measured by ELISA. At day 7 post-parturition, the body weight of P sows was 10 kg higher than that of C sows, and at day 3 post-parturition, P sows produced more milk (+2 kg) and had a higher IgA concentration in whey than did C sows (p < .05). Finally, unlike C sows, P sows tended to return to estrus faster, and had larger piglets at birth with a lower mortality percentage during early days of suckling. In conclusion, probiotic compound BIO-THREE PZ helped strengthen the immune system of unvaccinated, PED-infected sows and improved their reproductive performance.

Comparison of gene expression profiles of T cells in porcine colostrum and peripheral blood.

OBJECTIVE To compare gene expression patterns of T cells in porcine colostrum and peripheral blood. ANIMALS 10 multiparous sows. PROCEDURES Cytotoxic and CD4-CD8 double-positive T cells were separated from porcine colostrum and peripheral blood. Total RNA was extracted. The cDNA prepared from RNA was amplified, labeled, fragmented, and competitively hybridized to DNA microarray slides. The DNA microarray data were validated by use of a real-time reverse-transcription PCR assay, and expression of the genes FOS, NFKBI, IFNG, CXCR6, CCR5, ITGB2, CCR7, and SELL was assessed. Finally, DNA microarray data were validated at the protein level by use of flow cytometry via expression of c-Fos and integrin ß-2. RESULTS Evaluation of gene expression profiles indicated that in contrast to results for peripheral blood, numerous cell-signaling pathways might be activated in colostrum. Profile analysis also revealed that FOS and NFKBI (genes of transcription factors) were involved in most cell-signaling pathways and that expression of these genes was significantly higher in colostral T cells than in peripheral blood T cells. Furthermore, CCR7 and SELL (genes of T-cell differentiation markers) in colostral T cells had expression patterns extremely similar to those found in effector or effector memory T cells. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE All or most of the T cells in colostrum had an effector-like phenotype and thus were more activated than those in peripheral blood. This gene expression profile would enable T cells to migrate to mammary glands, be secreted in colostrum, and likely contribute to passive immunity provided by sows to newborn pigs.

The effect of colostrum ingestion during the first 24 hours of life on early postnatal development of piglet immune systems.

It has been suggested that colostrum is important not only for direct protection from pathogens but also for proper development of immune systems in piglets. In this study, we focused on the effect of colostrum ingestion during the first 24 h of life on early postnatal development of piglet immune systems. Thirty-six piglets from five litters were divided into colostrum-fed (CoF) and colostrum-deprived (CoD) groups. The former group was allowed to suckle normally while formula milk was fed to the latter group during the first 24 h of life. At the weaning period, the concentrations of fecal immunoglobulin (Ig) A and plasma IgG as well as the number of blood leukocyte subsets were analyzed. Fecal IgA and plasma IgG concentrations in the CoF group were more than twice as high as those in the CoD group (P < 0.01). In addition, the number of blood B cells was significantly higher in the CoF group than that in the CoD group (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates that colostrum ingestion during the first 24 h plays a significant role in early postnatal development of both mucosal and systemic immunity of piglets.

Evaluation of secretion volume and immunoglobulin A and G concentrations in sow colostrum from anterior to posterior teats.

Among domestic animals, teat order is only observed in the pig. In order to achieve the healthy growth and weaning of piglets, it is important to elucidate if volume of colostrum secretion and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG concentrations differ among the teats of a sow. Nine sows were used to evaluate the difference in colostrum secretion volume (CSV) and four of these sows were assessed for IgA and IgG concentrations from each teat. Samples were collected five times during 21 h following parturition. Teats were assigned anatomical locations of teat (1 to 7) from anterior to posterior. The CSV of anterior (locations 1 and 2) and middle teats (locations 3-5) was significantly higher than those of posterior teats (locations 6 and 7) throughout the experiment except for 18 h post-parturition (P < 0.05). The CSV of the teats at location 1 was significantly higher at most collection times than those at locations 6 and 7. A positive correlation of CSV was observed with IgA and IgG concentrations from 12 h and 6 h post-parturition, respectively (P < 0.05). The results suggest that anterior teats secrete greater volumes of colostrum and that these tend to contain higher IgA and IgG than posteriors teats.

Long-term oral feeding of lutein-fortified milk increases voluntary running distance in rats.

To evaluate the effects of lutein-fortified milk administration on running exercise, a voluntary wheel-running model was performed in rats. Four-week-old F344 rats were administered test milk (10 mL/kg) daily following a 4-h fasting period, and their running distances were measured each day for a 9-week period. Total weekly running distance significantly increased from the sixth week until the end of the test period in lutein-supplemented rats (lutein-fortified milk administered) compared with control rats (vehicle administered). This increase was not apparent in rats administered lutein alone. In the lutein-fortified-milk exercise group compared with the sedentary control group, carnitine palitroyltransferase 1 (CPT-1), total AMP-activated protein kinase (tAMPK), and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK) contents were significantly increased in the gastrocnemius muscle, with a concomitant decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in the blood and liver. Furthermore, the lutein level in blood of lutein-administered rats significantly decreased with exercise. These results suggest that lutein-fortified milk may enhance the effect of exercise by effective utilization of lipids when combined with voluntary running.

Shotgun proteomic analysis of porcine colostrum and mature milk.

The epitheliochorial nature of the porcine placenta prevents the transfer of maternal immunity. Therefore, ingestion of the colostrum immediately after birth is crucial for neonatal piglets to acquire passive immunity from the sow. We performed a shotgun proteomic analysis of porcine milk to reveal in detail the protein composition of porcine milk. On the basis of the Swiss-Prot database, 113 and 118 proteins were identified in the porcine colostrum and mature milk, respectively, and 50 of these proteins were common to both samples. Some immune-related proteins, including interleukin-18 (IL-18), were unique to the colostrum. The IL-18 concentration in the colostrum and mature milk of four sows was measured to validate the proteomic analysis, and IL-18 was only detected in the colostrum (191.0 ± 53.9 pg/mL) and not in mature milk. In addition, some proteins involved in primary defense, such as azurocidin, which has never been detected in any other mammal's milk, were also identified in the colostrum.

In vitro photochemical and phototoxicological characterization of major constituents in St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) extracts.

Extracts from St. John's Wort (SJW: Hypericum perforatum) have been used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. In spite of the high therapeutic potential, orally administered SJW sometimes causes phototoxic skin responses. As such, the present study aimed to clarify the phototoxic mechanisms and to identify the major phototoxins of SJW extract. Photobiochemical properties of SJW extract and 19 known constituents were characterized with focus on generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and DNA photocleavage, which are indicative of photosensitive, photoirritant, and photogenotoxic potentials, respectively. ROS assay revealed the photoreactivity of SJW extract and some SJW ingredients as evidenced by type I and/or II photochemical reactions under light exposure. Not all the ROS-generating constituents caused photosensitized peroxidation of linoleic acid and photodynamic cleavage of plasmid DNA, and only hypericin, pseudohypericin, and hyperforin exhibited in vitro photoirritant potential. Concomitant UV exposure of quercitrin, an SJW component with potent UV/Vis absorption, with hyperforin resulted in significant attenuation of photodynamic generation of singlet oxygen from hyperforin, but not with hypericin. In conclusion, our results suggested that hypericin, pseudohypericin, and hyperforin might be responsible for the in vitro phototoxic effects of SJW extract.

Evaluation of the low dose level of a heat-killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis to prevent porcine edema disease using experimental infection model with enterotoxcemic Escherichia coli in weaning pigs.

Porcine edema disease (ED) is caused by Shiga toxin 2e-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). ED has become frequent in pig farms, and the use of antimicrobials has resulted in the development of antimicrobial-resistant STEC. Accordingly, the use of materials other than antimicrobials is requested for the prevention of ED. Oral administration of a heat-killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis strain EC-12 (EC-12) to weaning pigs was previously demonstrated to decrease animal mortality in a STEC-contaminated farm at 0.05% (w/w) dose level. In this study, pigs experimentally infected with STEC were used as a model for ED to evaluate the low dose level of EC-12 to prevent ED. Fifteen 21-day-old pigs were divided into 5 groups: STEC challenge with the basal diet, STEC challenge with EC-12 supplemented at 0.005, 0.01, or 0.05% (w/w) to the basal diet, and no STEC challenge with the basal diet. The challenge was carried out when the animals were 25, 26, and 27 days old using STEC contained in capsules resistant against gastric digestion. All pigs were euthanized at 32 days of age. The daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and palpebral edema were improved by supplementation with 0.05% EC-12, but not by the low dose levels. Accordingly, 0.05% level of supplementation was needed for EC-12 to improve clinical symptoms in weaning piglets infected by STEC.

Benign pleomorphic astrocytoma in the hypothalamus--case report.

A 41-year-old woman presented with an unusual case of benign astrocytoma with marked pleomorphism manifesting as consciousness disturbance due to intraventricular hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-enhanced hypothalamic mass protruding into the third ventricle. Despite partial resection of the tumor without additional therapy, there have been no signs of tumor regrowth for 6 years. The histological findings revealed solid proliferation of tumor cells with marked pleomorphism, contrary to the benign clinical course. However, no mitosis, necrosis, or endothelial proliferation were found and the MIB-1 index was less than 0.5%. Immunohistochemical staining indicated the glial origin of the tumor. The tumor was similar to pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, but the histological findings were not exactly identical, indicating a new histological entity.

Electrical preconditioning attenuates progressive necrosis and cavitation following spinal cord injury.

This study evaluates the influence of preconditioning and subsequent electrical stimulation on the formation of primary and secondary lesions following spinal cord injury in rats. The dorsal surface of the spinal cord at the T7 level was stimulated 24 h before right-side hemisection (500 Hz, 10 pulses/train, at an inter-train interval of 10 sec for 2 h). Stimulation was again administered immediately after injury and then every 24 h for 7 days. Preconditioning electrical stimulation of the spinal cord activated reactive astrocytes, then significantly attenuated edema, progressive necrosis, and cavitation, especially in the secondary cavity lesions (24 h, 1 week, and 3 weeks post-injury). Upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin immunoreactivity, a measure of reactive astrocytic response, were increased at 1 week after injury in the rats treated with electrical stimulation. These results suggest that preconditioning with electrical stimulation prevents the formation of secondary lesions after spinal cord injury. This beneficial effect may be related to the ability of electrical stimulation to attenuate trauma-induced cellular cascades.