Probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 improves insulin secretion in a diabetic rat model.

The probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) has a protective effect against metabolic syndrome in rats and humans. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, Goto-Kakizaki rats were used as a diabetic model and fed diets containing LG2055-fermented or nonfermented skim milk for 4 wk. Indices of diabetes such as blood glucose levels, serum glucagon levels, plasma levels of insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon-like peptide-1, tissue glycogen contents, and pancreatic mRNA levels were measured. The plasma C-peptide levels and pancreatic mRNA levels of insulin genes (Ins1 and Ins2) and Pdx1 (a transcriptional factor of insulin genes) were increased in LG2055 diet-fed rats. The increase in insulin secretion corresponded to an improvement in serum and pancreatic inflammatory status, associated with decreases in serum levels of serum amyloid P and pancreatic levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Insulin resistance in Goto-Kakizaki rats was ameliorated by increased glycogen storage in the liver and quadriceps femoris muscles and decreased serum free fatty acid levels. This improvement may be related to the increased cecal production of short-chain fatty acids. In conclusion, dietary LG2055 improved insulin secretion in diabetic rats by improving the inflammatory status in the pancreas and serum.

Improvement of skin condition by oral supplementation with sphingomyelin-containing milk phospholipids in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.

Sphingomyelin (SM), an essential phospholipid for the skin, is contained largely in the milk fat globule membrane surrounding milk fat, concentrated fractions of which are also generated concurrently during the manufacture of dairy products. Such an SM-containing milk phospholipid concentrate (SM-MPC) is useful for investigating the benefits of dietary SM. Here, we examined the effect of consuming SM-MPC on the condition of skin in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Ninety-six healthy subjects aged 20 to 39 yr with low skin hydration were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a high-SM group supplemented with SM-MPC at a dose equivalent to 10 mg/d of SM, a low-SM group supplemented with SM-MPC equivalent to 5 mg/d of SM, and a placebo group fed a vehicle composed of olive oil and beeswax. During daily supplementation for 12 wk, parameters related to the condition of skin were evaluated at baseline and every 3 wk. Skin hydration at the heel was significantly increased at wk 9 and 12 in the low-SM group compared with the placebo group. Skin elasticity in the region below the eye was significantly increased at wk 9 in the high-SM group versus placebo. Questionnaire-based subjective perceptions of skin conditions were significantly improved for facial skin moisture at wk 3 and 12, and in the wrinkle around the eyes at wk 9 and 12 in the high-SM group versus placebo. Our results indicate that constant and long-term supplementation with SM-MPC is capable of improving the general condition of skin.

Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171, a cheese starter, regulates proliferation and cytokine production of immune cells.

Consumption of a Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 (LH2171)-containing cheese has been reported to exhibit immunoregulatory actions, including an increase in regulatory T cell population and reduction in proinflammatory cytokine production in mice. We examined the in vitro effects of LH2171 cells per se on immune cell function, specifically proliferation and cytokine production, which are primary reactions of the immune response. Immune cell fractions were prepared by mechanical disruption of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), Peyer's patches (PP), and spleens (SP) of mice. The cell fractions were dispensed into a culture plate and stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibody beads in place of antigen-presenting cells or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of heat-treated LH2171 cells and other bacterial strains for comparison. After incubation, proliferation, cytokine production, and cell viability of the immune cells were determined. The LH2171 significantly inhibited the proliferation of MLN immune cells stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 compared with other bacterial strains. The antiproliferative potency of LH2171 was effective not only on MLN but also on PP and SP stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 or LPS. The LH2171 also decreased LPS-stimulated IL-6 production from MLN, PP, and SP, and IL-1ß production from SP, but LH2171 did not affect the viability of immune cells. The LH2171 inhibited immune cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-1ß) production. The inhibitory actions were not due to cytotoxicity to immune cells, suggesting that LH2171 is a dairy Lactobacillus strain with beneficial immunoregulatory properties.

A cheese-containing diet modulates immune responses and alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice.

Diet has a significant effect on immune and inflammatory responses. To date, no studies have described how consumption of a diet containing a relatively high amount of cheese affects immune responses and the inflammatory status of the body. We examined these responses in normal mice and mice with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis associated with increased inflammatory responses, using a diet containing approximately 44% of a whole cheese powder and a diet containing casein, lard, and corn oil as the control. In normal mice, consumption of the cheese-containing diet induced regulatory T cells (T(reg)), which regulate immune and inflammatory responses, and suppressed the production of IL-17, IL-4, and IL-10 in Peyer's patch cells from the intestine. The T(reg) population and cytokine production were not altered in spleen cells. In mice with DSS-induced colitis, consumption of the cheese-containing diet alleviated the symptoms of colitis, as evidenced by prevention of body weight loss and colon length shortening, and inhibition of an increase in the disease activity index, which includes diarrhea and fecal bleeding. This relief of clinical symptoms was also associated with decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17 and IL-6) and increased production of the antiinflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor-ß1 in Peyer's patch cells. The T(reg) population was reduced by consumption of the cheese-containing diet in Peyer's patch cells and spleen cells, which might reflect the alleviated symptoms of colitis. Consumption of the cheese-containing diet compared with the control diet enhanced antiinflammatory and immune regulatory responses in normal mice and in a DSS-colitis mouse model.

Regulation of abdominal adiposity by probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055) in adults with obese tendencies in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In spite of the much evidence for the beneficial effects of probiotics, their anti-obesity effects have not been well examined. We evaluated the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) on abdominal adiposity, body weight and other body measures in adults with obese tendencies. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial. Subjects (n=87) with higher body mass index (BMI) (24.2-30.7 kg/m(2)) and abdominal visceral fat area (81.2-178.5 cm(2)) were randomly assigned to receive either fermented milk (FM) containing LG2055 (active FM; n=43) or FM without LG2055 (control FM; n=44), and were asked to consume 200 g/day of FM for 12 weeks. Abdominal fat area was determined by computed tomography. RESULTS: In the active FM group, abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat areas significantly (P<0.01) decreased from baseline by an average of 4.6% (mean (confidence interval): -5.8 (-10.0, -1.7) cm(2)) and 3.3% (-7.4 (-11.6, -3.1) cm(2)), respectively. Body weight and other measures also decreased significantly (P<0.001) as follows: body weight, 1.4% (-1.1 (-1.5, -0.7) kg); BMI, 1.5% (-0.4 (-0.5, -0.2) kg/m(2)); waist, 1.8% (-1.7 (-2.1, -1.4) cm); hip, 1.5% (-1.5 (-1.8, -1.1) cm). In the control group, by contrast, none of these parameters decreased significantly. High-molecular weight adiponectin in serum increased significantly (P<0.01) in the active and control groups by 12.7% (0.17 (0.07, 0.26) microg/ml) and 13.6% (0.23 (0.07, 0.38) microg/ml), respectively. CONCLUSION: The probiotic LG2055 showed lowering effects on abdominal adiposity, body weight and other measures, suggesting its beneficial influence on metabolic disorders.

Effects of highly ripened cheeses on HL-60 human leukemia cells: antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptotic DNA damage.

To establish cheese as a dairy product with health benefits, we examined the multifunctional role of cheeses. In this report, we clarify whether different types of commercial cheeses may possess antiproliferative activity using HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines as a cancer model. Among 12 cheese extracts tested, 6 (Montagnard, Pont-l'Eveque, Brie, Camembert, Danablue, and Blue) revealed strong growth inhibition activity and induction of DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells. Based on the quantification of nitrogen contents in different cheese samples, a positive correlation between the ripeness of various cheeses and their antiproliferative activity tested in HL-60 cells was displayed. Four varieties of Blue cheese ripened for 0, 1, 2, or 3 mo demonstrated that the Blue cheese ripened for a long term was capable of causing the strong suppression of the cell growth and the induction of apoptotic DNA damage as well as nucleic morphological change in HL-60 cells. Collectively, these results obtained suggest a potential role of highly ripened cheeses in the prevention of leukemic cell proliferation.

[Mature teratoma combined with schizophrenia: report of a case].

A 20-year-old woman was admitted to another hospital due to schizophrenia in July 2003. The patient felt chest pain and palpitation in August, and she was referred to our hospital. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a mass in the left thoracic cavity and a pleural/pericardial effusion. Since general condition did not improved in spite of aggressive supportive treatment, surgical treatment was chosen. An operation was performed via median sternotomy in September. The tumor was found to have adhered firmly to the surrounding organs. Pericardial fenestration was performed; then the tumor was resected with the left phrenic nerve due to tight adhesion. The patient received respiratory support in the intensive care unit for 5 days after surgery, uneventfully. Twenty-three months after surgery, she is surviving and free from schizophrenic symptoms without medication.

[Hemothorax following intraabdominal bleeding due to pedicle torsion of ovarian tumor via a small pore in the diaphragm: report of a case].

On February 25, 2004, 59-year-old woman visited a local clinic due to lower abdominal pain. On February 28, she was admitted to the clinic due to severe abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed a mass in the lower abdomen and plural effusion and athelectasis of the right lung. She had severe anemia (Hb 6.9 g/dl). On March 1, she was transferred to our hospital. Pleural fluid was revealed to be sanguineous by thoracentasis. She underwent thoracotomy on the day of admission. There was no source of bleeding in the pleural space. A small pore, 3 mm in diameter, was found in the tendinous portion of the diaphragm. An influx of bloody fluid from the abdomen via the pore caused hemothorax. Laparotomy was performed, followed by closure of the pore using direct suture. The origin of the abdominal bleeding was pedicle torsion of the right ovarian tumor. Seven months after surgery she was uneventful with no pleural effusion.

A method for measuring specific IgE in sera by direct ELISA without interference by IgG competition or IgG autoantibodies to IgE.

BACKGROUND: In measuring specific IgE levels in sera by direct ELISA, competition with coexisting IgG often impedes an exact IgE determination; additionally, IgG autoantibodies to IgE (IgG-IgE) in sera affect the assay. In this paper, we attempt to determine accurate specific IgE levels by selective removal of IgG with a protein G-immobilized gel (PG) and by acid treatment of the PG to compensate for the unintended removal of IgE, probably due to the PG binding IgG-IgE. METHODS: IgG in sera was removed using PG at pH 7.0. Then, the PG was treated with citrate buffer at pH 3.0 for 5 min to liberate IgE from IgG-IgE complexes, after IgG-binding sites on the PG were saturated with bovine IgG, since PG came to bind IgE at acidic pHs. IgE levels were then measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The PG treatment of sera removed the effect of inhibitory competition by coexisting IgG, especially at higher concentrations of sera, to improve specific IgE detection by direct ELISA. However, PG treatment alone sometimes reduced IgE levels (39% of sera tested), even though PG does not bind IgE at pH 7.0, which indicated the presence of IgG-IgE complexes. The reduction in IgE returned almost to their original levels in the sera by acid treatment of the PG. By combining the PG treatment with acid treatment, specific IgE measurement in sera was improved significantly (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). CONCLUSION: Measurement of specific IgE in sera by direct ELISA was improved by using the PG and acid treatment technique.