Dietary syringic acid reduces fat mass in an ovariectomy-induced mouse model of obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Postmenopausal women are at increased risk of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Therefore, the chemoprevention of postmenopausal changes in health via dietary supplements is important. Syringic acid (SA) is a phenolic compound present in the fruit of the assai palm, Euterpe oleracea, and in the mycelium of the shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes. This compound shows no affinity for estrogen receptors and may exert disease-preventive effects. Reportedly, dietary SA ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice; however, its effects on estrogen deficiency-induced obesity are still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether and how dietary SA affects these factors in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. METHODS: Ten-week-old OVX mice were fed SA-containing diets (100 mg/kg body weight/d) for 12 weeks. Their body weights, food intake, and uterus weights as well as other parameters were measured and comparisons were made with mice in the control group. RESULTS: Dietary SA did not affect the body weight, food intake, or uterus weight of OVX mice over the study period; however, the SA-fed group showed lower fat mass (ie, visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat) than the OVX-control group (11.1 ±â€Š3.3 vs. 8.3 ±â€Š2.4, P < 0.05; 7.9 ±â€Š1.1 vs. 5.9 ±â€Š1.6, P < 0.05; 19.0 ±â€Š4.2 vs. 14.1 ±â€Š3.8, P < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, blood analysis revealed that SA-treatment resulted in a dose-dependent decrease and increase in serum triglyceride (59.2 ±â€Š8.3 vs. 43.9 ±â€Š12.2 mg/dL P < 0.05) and adiponectin (7.7 ±â€Š0.3 vs. 9.5 ±â€Š0.6 µg/mL, P < 0.05) levels, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the SA diet improves lipid metabolism without affecting the uterus in OVX mice. Therefore, dietary SA has potential applicability for the prevention of postmenopausal obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Inhibitory Activities of Sulfur Compounds in Garlic Essential Oil against Alzheimer's Disease-Related Enzymes and Their Distribution in the Mouse Brain.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Garlic reportedly has various physiological effects, including a role in protecting against dementia. However, the action mechanisms of garlic on AD are not entirely clear. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory activity of garlic essential oil (GEO) against AD-related enzymes and evaluated the distribution of active substances in GEO to the brain. We found that several sulfur compounds in GEO significantly inhibited AD-related enzymes. Sulfur compounds were detected in the serum and brain 6 h post administration. The ratios of allyl mercaptan (24.0 ± 3.9%) and allyl methyl sulfide (49.8 ± 15.6%) in the brain were significantly higher than those in GEO, while those of dimethyl trisulfide (0.89 ± 34.8%), allyl methyl trisulfide (0.41 ± 19.0%), and diallyl trisulfide (0.43 ± 72.8%) in the brain were significantly lower than those in GEO. Similar results were observed in the serum, suggesting that the organosulfur compounds were converted to allyl mercaptan or allyl methyl sulfide in the body. Although allyl mercaptan and allyl methyl sulfide are not the main components of GEO, they might be key molecules to understand the bioactivities of GEO in the body.

The Seed Coat Extract of Black Soybean Decreases Nicotine-Induced Vascular Fiber Degradation by Suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 Expression.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease characterized by weakening of vascular walls and progressive dilation of the abdominal aorta. Nicotine, the main component of tobacco, is reportedly associated with the development and rupture of AAA. It is desirable to attenuate the destructive effect of nicotine on vascular walls, using dietary food components. However, effective methods for preventing AAA progression using dietary food components remain unestablished. This study focuses on proanthocyanidins, well known for their potent antioxidant activity. We speculated that proanthocyanidins can suppress nicotine-induced weakening of vascular walls. To estimate the effect of black soybean seed coat extract (BSSCE), rich in proanthocyanidins, on nicotine-induced weakening of the aortic wall, mice were divided into four groups: the control diet and distilled water group (named C), BSSCE solution diet and distilled water group (named B), control diet and 0.5 mg/mL nicotine solution group (named CN), and BSSCE solution diet and 0.5 mg/mL nicotine solution group (named BN). Nicotine-induced degradation of elastin and collagen fibers were significantly suppressed in BN group. The positive areas for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and oxidative stress in BN group were significantly decreased compared to those in CN group. These results suggest that proanthocyanidins-rich BSSCE can prevent the weakening of the aortic wall via inhibiting MMP-2 upregulation.

Mixing Ginkgo biloba Extract with Sesame Extract and Turmeric Oil Increases Bioavailability of Ginkgolide A in Mice Brain.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is widely used as herbal medicine. Preventive effect of GBE against dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, has been reported. The bioactive compounds in GBE that impart these beneficial effects, flavonoids and terpene lactones, have poor bioavailability. Our previous study found distribution of bioactive compounds of sesame extract in mice brain after mixing it with turmeric oil. Here, we evaluate the distribution of bioactive compounds of GBE by combining it with the mixture of sesame extract and turmeric oil (MST). The content of terpene lactones in mice serum was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner after administration of GBE. However, the contents of terpene lactones in mice brain were not significantly changed. Concentration of ginkgolide A in mice brain increased significantly when GBE was co-administrated with MST than when GBE was administered alone. These results suggest that MST may be effective in enhancing the bioavailability of ginkgolide A in GBE.

Sesame Extract Attenuates the Degradation of Collagen and Elastin Fibers in the Vascular Walls of Nicotine-administered Mice.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease characterized by the weakening of the vascular walls and the progressive dilation of the abdominal aorta. Nicotine, a primary component of cigarette smoke, is associated with AAA development and rupture. Nicotine induces AAA development by weakening vascular walls. However, little is known about preventive methods using functional food factors for nicotine-induced vascular destruction. Sesamin and sesamolin are functional food factors that are fat-soluble lignans found in Sesamum indicum seeds. Previous reports indicated that sesamin and sesamolin have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of sesamin and sesamolin-rich sesame extract on the weakening of vascular walls in nicotine-administered mice. Sesame extract attenuated the degradation of collagen and elastin fibers caused by nicotine. In addition, sesame extract decreased the area positive for matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12) and oxidative stress in the vascular walls. These results suggest that sesame extract may decrease the weakening of vascular walls by suppressing the nicotine-induced degradation of collagen and elastin fibers. Sesame extract may be effective in preventing AAA development by decreasing both, MMP-12 expression and oxidative stress in vascular walls.

Dietary DNA Attenuates the Degradation of Elastin Fibers in the Aortic Wall in Nicotine-Administrated Mice.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease characterized by chronic inflammation in the infrarenal aorta. Epidemiologic data have clearly linked tobacco smoking to aneurysm formation and a faster rate of expansion. It suggested that nicotine, one of the main ingredients of tobacco, has been suggested to be associated with AAA development and rupture. In the condition where no established drugs are available; therefore, an effective approach to prevent the vascular damage from nicotine consumption may be the use of dietary functional food factors. However, little is known about the relationship between dietary components and AAA. In this study, we estimated the effect of dietary deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) on the vascular wall. After habituation for 5 d, the mice were divided into four groups: control diet and distilled water group (C), DNA-Na diet and distilled water group (DNA), control diet and 0.5 mg/mL nicotine solution group (C-Nic), DNA-Na diet, and 0.5 mg/mL nicotine solution group (DNA-Nic). The dietary DNA attenuated the degradation of elastin fibers induced by nicotine administration. The areas stained positive for MMP-2 in the DNA-Nic group were significantly suppressed compared to C-Nic mice. These data suggest that the dietary DNA may prevent the weakening of the aortic wall via inhibition of the MMP-2-dependent pathway. In conclusion, we have revealed the protective effect of dietary DNA on the vascular pathology of nicotine-administrated mice. A nucleic acid-rich diet might be useful for people who consume nicotine via smoking, chewing tobacco, or nicotine patches.

Identification of the 7S and 11S globulins as percutaneously sensitizing soybean allergens as demonstrated through epidermal application of crude soybean extract.

Cutaneous exposure to food allergens can predispose individuals to food allergies. Soybean, a major allergenic food, is an ingredient in various cosmetic products. However, the types of soybean proteins that are percutaneously sensitizing in humans or animal models remain unknown. In this study, BALB/c mice were dorsally shaved and epicutaneously exposed to a crude soybean extract including sodium dodecyl sulfate or distilled water alone. Specific IgEs secreted in response to 7S globulin (Gly m 5), 11S globulin (Gly m 6), Gly m 3, and Gly m 4 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays or immunoblots. Exposure to soybean extract elicited the secretion of soybean-specific IgEs. Of the soybean proteins, 7S and 11S globulins acted as percutaneous sensitizers in 6/9 mice (67%). Additionally, IgE bound specifically and preferentially to the 7S globulin ß subunit. In conclusion, this is the first report to identify percutaneously sensitizing soybean allergens in a mouse model.

Worm wounding increases levels of pollen-related food allergens in soybean (Glycine max).

The levels of food allergens in worm-wounded or non-wounded green soybeans (edamame) and mature soybeans were investigated by immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using allergen-specific antibodies. Non-wounded and worm-wounded soybeans showed similar total protein profiles after Coomassie brilliant blue staining, but some protein bands were observed to have been changed by worm wounding. Immunoblotting with specific antibodies for major soybean allergens (Gly m 5, Gly m 6, Gly m Bd 30 K, and Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor) revealed that protein band profiles and intensities were not significantly changed by worm wounding. In contrast, levels of the pollen-related soybean allergens Gly m 4 and Gly m 3 were strongly increased by worm wounding in both green and mature soybeans, as detected by immunoblotting and ELISA. These results suggested that the pollen-related food allergen risk (i.e., oral allergy syndrome; OAS) from soybeans might be enhanced by worm wounding of soybeans.

Percutaneous Sensitization to Soybean Proteins Is Attenuated by Oral Tolerance.

Oral tolerance prevents allergic responses, but cutaneous exposure to food allergens predisposes individuals to food allergies. Soybean, a major allergenic food, is also an ingredient in various cosmetic products. However, it remains to be determined whether oral tolerance prevents percutaneous sensitization to soybean proteins in humans or animal models. In this study, BALB/c mice were divided into three groups; the SS group fed a soybean-containing diet, and the CS and control (C) groups fed a soybean-free diet. After being dorsally shaved, the CS and SS groups were epicutaneously exposed to a soybean extract while the control group was exposed to only the carrier. Specific IgE and IgG1 immunoglobulins secreted in response to the soybean proteins were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Exposure to the soybean extract elicited the secretion of IgE and IgG1 specific for Gly m 5 and Gly m 6, and trypsin inhibitor. Oral soybean consumption attenuated the secretion of all the soybean-specific IgEs and IgG1s, suggesting that percutaneous sensitization to soybean proteins is attenuated by oral tolerance.

Antiosteoporotic activity of a syringic acid diet in ovariectomized mice.

In recent years, the number of patients with osteoporosis has risen with the increase in average longevity. Therefore, the chemoprevention of osteoporosis using food materials or food components has become an increasingly important target. Syringic acid (SA) is a phenolic compound present in the fruit of the açaí palm Euterpe oleracea and the mycelium of the shiitake mushroom Lentinula edodes. This compound has no affinity for estrogen receptors and is potentially useful for disease prevention. However, little is known about the effects of a SA diet on bone metabolism, particularly bone resorption in vivo. Here, we demonstrated the effects of a SA diet on bone loss and uterine weight loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Ten-week-old OVX mice were fed SA-containing diets (100 mg/kg body weight/day) for 10 weeks. After 10 weeks of dietary SA, the body weight, food intake, and uterine weight of the OVX mice were unaffected; however, femoral bone mineral density (cortical bone density, cancellous bone density, and total bone density) was higher in the SA-fed groups than in the OVX-control group. Furthermore, histomorphometric analysis revealed that the number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts was decreased and increased, respectively, in the SA-fed groups. These results suggest that a SA diet suppresses bone loss by downregulating bone resorption and upregulating bone formation without affecting the uterus in OVX mice. Although further studies are needed, SA may be a compound that can be used to prevent or retard osteoporosis.

Anti-Hyperglycemic Effect of a Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Vine Extract in Ovariectomized Mice.

Postmenopausal diabetes is exacerbated by estrogen deficiency. Ovariectomized (OVX) animal models can be used to develop strategies for preventing or treating postmenopausal symptoms. We previously found that a diet containing kudzu (Pueraria lobata) vine ethanol extract (PVEE) suppressed weight gain in OVX mice. Therefore, this study further elucidated how PVEE affected OVX mice. Ten-week-old OVX or sham-operated mice were fed diets containing either no PVEE (control) or 20 mg•kg-1•d-1 PVEE for 8 wk, 5 mg•kg-1•d-1 PVEE for 24 wk, or 20 mg•kg-1•d-1 puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside), a major isoflavone present in PVEE, for 10 wk. The effects of puerarin on glucose tolerance were also tested in OVX mice. The experimental diets were not associated with any abnormalities in any mice tested in the present study. Weight gain and serum glucose levels were increased in OVX mice and these effects were significantly attenuated in OVX mice that consumed PVEE (5 or 20 mg•kg-1•d-1) or puerarin. Puerarin-treated OVX mice also showed reduced serum glucose levels following administration of 1,000 mg•kg-1 glucose. These results suggested that puerarin contributed to PVEE-mediated improvements in glucose metabolism in OVX mice. Although further studies are needed to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying these observations, PVEE and puerarin could provide effective approaches to the amelioration of postmenopausal diabetes.

The anti-obesity effect of Taheebo (Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex Griseb) extract in ovariectomized mice and the identification of a potential anti-obesity compound.

Estrogen deficiency-induced obesity has a high risk of visceral fat accumulation and body weight gain. It is also associated with many adverse health conditions. Taheebo extract from Tabebuia avellanedae has been recognized as playing several biological and pharmacological roles. Therefore, we investigated whether the intake of n-BuOH extract of Taheebo shows anti-obesity effect in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. After 16 weeks of feeding, the mice administrated with 0.5% n-BuOH extract of Taheebo showed significantly decreased body weight compared with that of the control mice, and the fat mass also showed a significant decrease. In 3T3-L1 cells, supplementation with n-BuOH extract of Taheebo significantly reduced the triglyceride (TG) levels. Furthermore, bioassay-guided purification of the n-BuOH extract based on the TG levels in 3T3-L1 cells led to the isolation of compound 2 (1-dehydroxy-3,4-dihydroaucubigenin). These results suggested that the anti-obesity effect of Taheebo extract is due to its capability in preventing the accumulation of adipocyte in mice. Taheebo extract might be a promising functional food resources capable of protecting against OVX-induced obesity.

The preventive effect of fish oil on abdominal aortic aneurysm development.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disease involving gradual dilation of the abdominal aorta and high rupture-related mortality rates. AAA is histologically characterized by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation in the vascular wall. We previously demonstrated that aortic hypoperfusion could cause the vascular inflammation and AAA formation. However, the preventive method for hypoperfusion-induced AAA remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of fish oil on AAA development using a hypoperfusion-induced AAA animal model. Dilation of the abdominal aorta in the fish oil administration group was smaller than in the control group. Collagen destruction and oxidative stress were suppressed in the fish oil administration group than in the control group. These results suggested that fish oil could prevent the development of AAA induced by hypoperfusion.

Inhibitory Activities of Essential Oil Obtained from Turmeric and Its Constituents against ß-Secretase.

The need for a preventive agent against dementia led us to screen natural plant resources. Among the herbs and spices tested, turmeric, from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, showed high potency against ß-secretase. The active principles were determined as α-turmerone, ß-turmerone and ar-turmerone, with IC(50) values of 39, 62 and 92 µM respectively. In this study, the efficiency of collecting the essential oil using steam distillation of the volatile substance was disclosed The active principles were explored, and four sesquiterpenoids and five monoterpenoids were revealed as active principles against ß-secretase; On the other hand, α-turmerone, ß-turmerone and ar-turmerone were also investigated in a pharmacokinetic absorption experiment. After oral administration, these compounds were detected in an intact form in the brain and serum. These results suggest that consumption of-turieric constituents may prevent dementia.

Diversity of Food Allergy.

Food allergy is defined as an immune system-mediated adverse reaction to food components. Food allergic reactions are mostly IgE mediated and also known as immediate type hypersensitivity (type I reaction). There are several characteristic clinical types of food allergy, such as Anaphylaxis, Food-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA), and Oral allergy syndrome (OAS). In addition, food allergy is also classified into two types (class 1 and class 2) based on the pathophysiological mechanism. In the class 2 food allergy, pollen allergy causes plant food allergy; therefore this type of allergy is sometimes called Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS). The risk of food allergy (allergenicity) may vary with the treatment of the food allergens. The formation or status of the causative food affects its allergenicity. Class 1 food allergens are generally heat-, enzyme-, and low pH-resistant glycoproteins ranging in size from 10 to 70 kD. Class 1 food allergens induce allergic sensitization via the gastrointestinal tract and are responsible for systemic reactions. Class 2 food allergens are generally heat-labile, susceptible to digestion, and highly homologous with pollen allergens. Taken together, it may be important to consider the diversity of food allergy in order to fight against food allergy.

Hypoallergenicity and immunological characterization of enzyme-treated royal jelly from Apis mellifera.

Royal jelly (RJ), the exclusive food for queen bees, is taken as a dietary supplement because it is highly rich in nutrients. However, RJ is known to induce an anaphylactic response in some individuals. We evaluated in the present study the hypoallergenicity of alkaline protease-treated RJ in vitro and in vivo. We first confirmed that this treated RJ contained the same levels of vitamins, minerals and specific fatty acid as in untreated RJ. We then showed that the IgE-binding capacity of the treated RJ was very significantly reduced by conducting in vitro assays of the blood from RJ-sensitive patients. An in vivo skin-prick test on the RJ-sensitive patients also showed that, in the majority of the patients (3 out of 4 tested), the treated RJ did not evoke any allergenic response. It is thus advantageous to prepare hypoallergenic RJ by a protease enzyme treatment for its safe consumption.

Hypoallergenicity of various miso pastes manufactured in Japan.

Miso paste (miso), a fermented soybean food, is popular in Japan and other Asian countries. However, the soybean is known to induce an allergenic response in some individuals. In the present study, we evaluated the allergenicity of various kinds of miso available in Japan. Total proteins were extracted from Amakuti-kome miso, Karakuti-kome miso, Mugi-miso and Mame-miso, and the protein profiles were analyzed. The major protein bands detected in the intact soybean extract were not present in any of the miso samples, which instead showed various low molecular weight protein bands of approximately 10-25 kDa. The existence levels of six major soybean allergens were determined by Western blotting using specific antibodies. We found that the allergen levels varied among miso and allergen types; however, allergen levels were consistently lower in miso than in the soybean extract. We obtained similar results for IgE-ELISA experiments using serum IgE from soybean allergy patients. Taken together, these results indicate that compared to soybean extract, various types of miso contain small quantities of intact soybean allergens. Additionally, several lines of evidence indicated that the allergen levels were exceptionally low in the dark-colored Karakuti-kome miso and Mame-miso, which are produced with relatively long fermentation periods, suggesting that the duration of fermentation might be a key factor in the hypoallergenicity of miso.

Different localization patterns of anthocyanin species in the pericarp of black rice revealed by imaging mass spectrometry.

Black rice (Oryza sativa L. Japonica) contains high levels of anthocyanins in the pericarp and is considered an effective health-promoting food. Several studies have identified the molecular species of anthocyanins in black rice, but information about the localization of each anthocyanin species is limited because methodologies for investigating the localization such as determining specific antibodies to anthocyanin, have not yet been developed Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) is a suitable tool for investigating the localization of metabolites. In this study, we identified 7 species of anthocyanin monoglycosides and 2 species of anthocyanin diglycosides in crude extracts from black rice by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis. We also analyzed black rice sections by MALDI-IMS and found 2 additional species of anthocyanin pentosides and revealed different localization patterns of anthocyanin species composed of different sugar moieties. Anthocyanin species composed of a pentose moiety (cyanidin-3-O-pentoside and petunidin-3-O-pentoside) were localized in the entire pericarp, whereas anthocyanin species composed of a hexose moiety (cyanidin-3-O-hexoside and peonidin-3-O-hexoside) were focally localized in the dorsal pericarp. These results indicate that anthocyanin species composed of different sugar moieties exhibit different localization patterns in the pericarp of black rice. This is the first detailed investigation into the localization of molecular species of anthocyanins by MALDI-IMS.