Serum ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene derived from Satsuma mandarin and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity: The Mikkabi cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Findings of observational studies suggest cardioprotective effects of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids. However, recent meta-analyses failed to show the beneficial effects of supplemental intake of antioxidants on cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the association between CVD risk and ß-cryptoxanthin in Japan, where Satsuma mandarin, a major source of ß-cryptoxanthin, is widely consumed. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was part of the Mikkabi cohort study. Surveys were conducted at baseline, in 2003 and 2005, and on follow-up in 2006, 2009, and 2013. We examined brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with a high cut-off value set at 18.3 m s(-1). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for high baPWV were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model with adjustment for potential confounders. A total of 635 participants with baPWV of less than 18.3 m s(-1) at baseline were included in the analysis. During the follow-up period of 57,921 person-months, 99 subjects developed high baPWV. After multivariate adjustment, the HR for high baPWV in the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile was significantly low for ß-cryptoxanthin, ß-carotene, and total carotenoids. Serum concentrations of ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene were higher in people who ate Satsuma mandarin frequently. Compared with <1/d intake of Satsuma mandarin, 3-4/d was associated with a low risk of high PWV. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene derived from Satsuma mandarin are candidate micronutrients for preventing arteriosclerosis development. Further longitudinal and interventional studies will be required to validate the effect on CVD.

Characterization of a cDNA homologous to carotenoid-associated protein in citrus fruits.

A cDNA (CitPAP) homologous to a gene encoding for Cucumis sativus carotenoid-associated protein (CHRC) has been isolated from satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.). Unlike ChrC whose expression was limited only in mature fruits (containing chromoplasts), CitPAP transcripts were detected in all the tissues examined including fruits, flowers and leaves. In this respect, CitPAP was rather close to a gene encoding for pepper plastid-lipid-associated protein (PAP), which exhibits ubiquitous expression in bell pepper organs containing chloroplasts or chromoplasts. CitPAP, however, differed from PAP in the magnitude and pattern of RNA accumulation. These results might indicate a novel function of CitPAP.

[Anti-inflammatory effects of methylprednisolone aceponate in animals].

In the case of dermal application of the drugs to croton oil-induced ear edema in rats and picryl chloride-induced delayed type hypersensitivity in mice, the anti-inflammatory effect of methylprednisolone aceponate (MPA) was slightly weaker than those of clobetasol 17-propionate and diflucortolone 21-valerate, but stronger than those of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate and hydrocortisone 17-butyrate 21-propionate. Betamethasone 17-valerate applied dermally was less and more effective than MPA to ear edema in rats and delayed type hypersensitivity in mice, respectively. The anti-inflammatory effect of MPA was weaker in subcutaneous administration than in topical application to the two inflammatory models. It was suggested that MPA has strong anti-inflammatory effects and weak systemic effects by topical application. Methylprednisolone 17-propionate (MP-17P) and methylprednisolone (MP), unesterified in only the C-21 position and in both the C-17 and 21 positions of MPA, respectively, showed weaker anti-inflammatory activities than MPA by topical application to croton oil-induced ear edema. The ratio of the anti-inflammatory effects by topical application to subcutaneous administration of MPA was higher than those of MP-17P and MP. The excellent characteristics of MPA as a dermal anti-inflammatory drug are suggested to be derived from di-esterification of MP, which has a weak activity intrinsically.

Positive inotropism in hypothermia partially depends on an increase in maximal Ca(2+)-activated force.

We investigated the contribution of maximal Ca(2+)-activated force to the positive inotropism induced by mild hypothermia. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed that neither energy-related phosphorus compounds in myocardium nor intracellular pH was responsible for the change in contractility. Maximal Ca(2+)-activated pressure (MCAP), the intact-heart correlate of maximal Ca(2+)-activated force, was determined in isolated perfused rabbit hearts by measuring isovolumic left ventricular pressure during tetani at extracellular Ca2+ concentrations greater than or equal to 10 mM. Tetani were elicited by rapid pacing after exposure to ryanodine. MCAP increased by 2.17 +/- 0.28% (mean +/- SE, P less than 0.001, n = 19) for each degree of myocardial cooling between 30 and 38 degrees C. Our results indicate that a primary change in myofilament Ca2+ responsiveness underlies the positive inotropism in hypothermia. The increase in maximal Ca(2+)-activated force may explain the observation of positive inotropism without an upward shift in the relation between oxygen consumption and pressure-volume area, as previously reported for cooled whole hearts.