Juzentaihoto Suppresses Muscle Atrophy in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice.

In diabetic patients, skeletal muscle atrophy occurs due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Skeletal muscle atrophy reduces the QOL of patients and worsens life prognosis. Therefore, development of preventive therapy for muscle atrophy in hyperglycemic state is eagerly awaited. Juzentaihoto is a medicinal herb that has a function to supplement physical strength, and it is expected to prevent muscle atrophy. To determine the preventive effect of juzentaihoto on muscle atrophy in hyperglycemic state, streptozotocin (STZ) was administered to induce diabetes in mice and the preventive effect of juzentaihoto was evaluated. Mice that received juzentaihoto extract (JTT) showed that the decrease in muscle fiber cross-sectional area in the gastrocnemius muscle was reversed. Additionally, the expression level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), an inflammatory cytokine, in serum decreased, and that of ubiquitin ligase (atrogin-1, muscle RING-finger protein-1) mRNA in skeletal muscle decreased. An anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 showed increased levels in the serum and increased levels in spleen cell culture supernatant collected from mice that received JTT. JTT had no effect on the blood glucose level. These results suggest that prophylactic administration of JTT to STZ-induced diabetic mice affects immune cells such as in spleen, causing an anti-inflammatory effect and inhibiting excessive activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, to reverse muscle atrophy.

Effect of Minerals on Intestinal IgA Production Using Deep Sea Water Drinks.

Minerals are essential for life, as they are a vital part of protein constituents, enzyme cofactors, and other components in living organisms. Deep sea water is characterized by its cleanliness and stable low temperature, and its possible health- and medical benefits are being studied. However, no study has yet evaluated the physical properties of the numerous commercially available deep sea water products, which have varying water sources and production methods. We analyzed these products' mineral content and investigated their effect on living organism, focusing on immune functions, and investigated the relation between physiological immunoactivities and mineral intake. We qualitatively analyzed the mineral compositions of the deep sea water drinks and evaluated the drinks' physical properties using principal component analysis, a type of multivariate analysis, of their mineral content. We create an iron and copper-deficient rat model and administered deep sea water drinks for 8 weeks. We then measured their fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) to evaluate immune function. Principal component analysis suggested that physical properties of deep sea water drinks could be determined by their sources. Administration of deep sea water drinks increased fecal IgA, thus tending to stimulate immune function, but the extent of this effect varied by drink. Of the minerals contained in deep sea water, iron showed positive correlations with the fecal IgA. The principal component analysis used in this study is suitable for evaluating deep sea water containing many minerals, and our results form a useful basis for comparative evaluations of deep sea water's bioactivity.

Ginger Orally Disintegrating Tablets to Improve Swallowing in Older People.

We previously prepared and pharmaceutically evaluated ginger orally disintegrating (OD) tablets, optimized the base formulation, and carried out a clinical trial in healthy adults in their 20 s and 50s to measure their effect on salivary substance P (SP) level and improved swallowing function. In this study, we conducted clinical trials using the ginger OD tablets in older people to clinically evaluate the improvements in swallowing function resulting from the functional components of the tablet. The ginger OD tablets were prepared by mixing the excipients with the same amount of mannitol and sucrose to a concentration of 1% ginger. Eighteen healthy older adult volunteers aged 63 to 90 were included in the swallowing function test. Saliva was collected before and 15 min after administration of the placebo and ginger OD tablets. Swallowing endoscopy was performed by an otolaryngologist before administration and 15 min after administration of the ginger OD tablets. A scoring method was used to evaluate the endoscopic swallowing. Fifteen minutes after taking the ginger OD tablets, the salivary SP amount was significantly higher than prior to ingestion or after taking the placebo (p<0.05). Among 10 subjects, one scored 1-3 using the four evaluation criteria. Overall, no aspiration occurred and a significant improvement in the swallowing function score was observed (p<0.05) after taking the ginger OD tablets. Our findings showed that the ginger OD tablets increased the salivary SP amount and improved swallowing function in older people with appreciably reduced swallowing function.

Systemic arteriosclerosis and eating behavior in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients with visceral fat accumulation.

BACKGROUND: Visceral fat accumulation is a major etiological factor in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. We described previously visceral fat accumulation and multiple cardiovascular risk factors in a considerable number of Japanese non-obese subjects (BMI <25 kg/m(2)). Here, we investigated differences in systemic arteriosclerosis, serum adiponectin concentration, and eating behavior in type 2 diabetic patients with and without visceral fat accumulation. METHODS: The study subjects were 75 Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus (age: 64.8 ± 11.5 years, mean ± SD). Visceral fat accumulation represented an estimated visceral fat area of 100 cm(2) using the bioelectrical impedance analysis method. Subjects were divided into two groups; with (n = 53) and without (n = 22) visceral fat accumulation. Systemic arteriosclerosis was scored for four arteries by ultrasonography. Eating behavior was assessed based on The Guideline for Obesity questionnaire issued by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity. RESULTS: The visceral fat accumulation (+) group showed significantly higher systemic vascular scores and significantly lower serum adiponectin levels than the visceral fat accumulation (-) group. With respect to the eating behavior questionnaire items, (+) patients showed higher values for the total score and many of the major sub-scores than (-) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetic patients with visceral fat accumulation showed 1) progression of systemic arteriosclerosis, 2) low serum adiponectin levels, and 3) differences in eating behavior, compared to those without visceral fat accumulation. Taken together, the findings highlight the importance of evaluating visceral fat area in type 2 diabetic patients. Furthermore, those with visceral fat accumulation might need to undergo more intensive screening for systemic arteriosclerosis and consider modifying their eating behaviors.

Effect of adiponectin on cardiac ß-catenin signaling pathway under angiotensin II infusion.

Obesity is associated with heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy. Adiponectin has been shown to play a protective role for cardiovascular diseases. The ß-catenin signaling pathway is deeply involved in cardiac hypertrophy. However, the effect of adiponectin on ß-catenin signaling has not been investigated in cardiac hypertrophy. Present study aimed to clarify the involvement of adiponectin and ß-catenin signaling pathway in the mouse model of angiotensin II (AngII)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. In hearts of Wild type (WT) mice, AngII dose-dependently augmented cytosolic ß-catenin protein level. WT and adiponectin knockout (Adipo-KO) mice were administered with AngII at 2.4 mg/kg/day for 14 days and were also injected with adenovirus expressing the adiponectin (Ad-Adipo) or the ß-galactosidase (Ad-ßgal). Cardiac mRNA levels relating to hypertrophy and ß-catenin signaling were increased in Adipo-KO mice and these changes were reversed by Ad-Adipo. Phosphorylation of Akt was increased in Adipo-KO mice and such increases were reversed by Ad-Adipo. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) at Ser(9) and cytosolic ß-catenin level were increased in Adipo-KO mice and they were significantly reduced by Ad-Adipo treatment. Phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) was reduced by Ad-Adipo-mediated adiponectin supplementation in WT and Adipo-KO mice. The current study suggests that adiponectin attenuates AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophic signals partly through Akt/GSK3ß/ß-catenin and Akt/mTOR pathways.

A pilot three-month sitagliptin treatment increases serum adiponectin level in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus--a randomized controlled trial START-J study.

BACKGROUND: The dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-4) inhibitors, including sitagliptin, are used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived circulating protein, has anti-atherosclerotic and anti-diabetic properties and is effectively elevated in bloodstream by thiazolidinediones, an insulin sensitizer. However, the effect of sitagliptin treatment on serum adiponectin level in T2DM has not fully elucidated in Japanese T2DM patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of sitagliptin treatment on serum adiponectin levels in T2DM subjects. METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive Japanese T2DM outpatients were recruited between April 2011 and March 2013, and randomized into the control (conventional treatment, n = 10) group and sitagliptin treatment group (n = 16). Serum adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Indices of glycemic control, such as hemoglobin A1c, glycated albumin, and 1.5-anhydro-D-glucitol, were significantly improved after the three-month treatment in both the control and sitagliptin groups. Serum adiponectin level was significantly increased in sitagliptin group from 6.7 ± 0.8 to 7.4 ± 1.0 µg/mL without change of body mass index (p = 0.034), while serum adiponectin level was not altered in the control group (p = 0.601). CONCLUSION: In Japanese T2DM patients, serum adiponectin level was elevated by three-month treatment with sitagliptin without change of body weight. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000004721.

Gene expression levels of S100 protein family in blood cells are associated with insulin resistance and inflammation (Peripheral blood S100 mRNAs and metabolic syndrome).

OBJECTIVE: Visceral fat obesity is located upstream of metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic diseases. Accumulating evidences indicate that several immunocytes including macrophages infiltrate into adipose tissue and induce chronic low-grade inflammation. We recently analyzed the association between visceral fat adiposity and the gene expression profile in peripheral blood cells in human subjects and demonstrated the close relationship of visceral fat adiposity and disturbance of circadian rhythm in peripheral blood cells. In a series of studies, we herein investigated the association of visceral fat adiposity and mRNA levels relating to inflammatory genes in peripheral blood cells. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Microarray analysis was performed in peripheral blood cells from 28 obese subjects. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted by using blood cells from 57 obese subjects. Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2 according to the Japanese criteria. Gene expression profile analysis was carried out with Agilent whole human genome 4×44K oligo-DNA microarray. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that 14 genes were significantly associated with visceral fat adiposity among 239 genes relating to inflammation. Among 14 genes, RT-PCR demonstrated that S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 positively correlated with visceral fat adiposity in 57 subjects. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that S100A8 and S100A12 mRNA levels were closely associated with HOMA-IR and S100A9 mRNA was significantly related to adiponectin and CRP. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral blood mRNA levels of S100 family were closely associated with insulin resistance and inflammation.

Vascular complications and changes in body mass index in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients with abdominal obesity.

BACKGROUND: Although many Asian type 2 diabetic patients have been considered to be not obese and have low capacity of insulin secretion, the proportion of obese patients with visceral fat accumulation has increased in recent years. We found previously considerable number of Japanese non-obese subjects (body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m²) with visceral fat accumulation and multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the difference in clinical features of type 2 diabetic patients with and without visceral fat accumulation, focusing on vascular complications and changes in BMI. METHODS: We enrolled 88 Japanese hospitalized type 2 diabetic patients. Abdominal obesity represented waist circumference (WC) of ≥85 cm for males and ≥90 cm for females (corresponding to visceral fat area of 100 cm²). Subjects were divided into two groups; with or without abdominal obesity. RESULTS: Hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases were significantly more in the patients with abdominal obesity. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the non-obese patients (BMI < 25 kg/m²) with abdominal obesity were similar in obese patients (BMI ≥25 kg/m²). The mean BMI of the patients with abdominal obesity was < 25 kg/m² at 20 years of age, but reached maximum to more than 30 kg/m² in the course. Furthermore, substantial portion of the type 2 diabetic patients (52% in males and 43% in females) were not obese at 20 year-old (BMI < 25 kg/m²), but developed abdominal obesity by the time of admission. CONCLUSION: These results emphasize the need to control multiple risk factors and prevent atherosclerotic disease in patients with abdominal obesity. The significant weight gain after 20 years of age in patients with abdominal obesity stresses the importance of lifestyle modification in younger generation, to prevent potential development of type 2 diabetes and future atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome causes a pseudo-Cushing's state in Japanese obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis has been reported in some patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). In current study, we investigated whether OSAS affect the screening test for subclinical Cushing's disease using 0.5 mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in Japanese obese diabetic patients with OSAS. Among Japanese obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who had been hospitalized in our department, we selected 20 patients with moderate to severe untreated OSAS (apnea-hypoxia index, AHI, of ≥15 events/hour). All patients underwent 0.5 mg DST. The same test was repeated in patients with positive response of it within a few days after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. We found that five patients showed positive response of DST (25%). Three of these patients continued to use CPAP, and they showed normal response of DST after CPAP therapy. Serum cortisol after 0.5 mg DST measured before CPAP therapy correlated significantly with fasting serum cortisol level (r=0.764, p<0.0001), but not with various clinical parameters, including AHI (p=0.784), body mass index (p=0.984), waist circumference (p=0.957), HbA1c (p=0.261), fasting plasma glucose (p=0.420) and HOMA-IR (p=0.500). Our study show that OSAS causes a pseudo-Cushing's syndrome in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which phenomena can be reversed by CPAP therapy.

Induced adipocyte cell-sheet ameliorates cardiac dysfunction in a mouse myocardial infarction model: a novel drug delivery system for heart failure.

BACKGROUND: A drug delivery system that constitutively and effectively retains cardioprotective reagents in the targeted myocardium has long been sought to treat acute myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that a scaffold-free induced adipocyte cell-sheet (iACS), transplanted on the surface of the heart, might intramyocardially secrete multiple cardioprotective factors including adiponectin (APN), consequently attenuating functional deterioration after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Induced ACS were generated from adipose tissue-derived cells of wild-type (WT) mice (C57BL/6J), which secreted abundant APN, hepatocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro. Transplanted iACS secreted APN into the myocardium of APN-knockout (KO) mice at 4 weeks. APN was also detected in the plasma of iACS-transplanted APN-KO mice at 3 months (245 ± 113 pg/mL). After left anterior descending artery ligation, iACS, generated from either WT (n=40) or APN-KO (n=40) mice, were grafted onto the surface of the anterior left ventricular wall of WT mice, or only left anterior descending artery ligation was performed (n=43). Two days later, inflammation and infarct size were significantly diminished only in the WT-iACS treated mice. One month later, cardiomyocyte diameter and percent fibrosis were smaller, whereas ejection fraction and survival were greater in the WT-iACS treated mice compared with the KO-iACS-treated or nontreated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Cardioprotective factors including APN, hepatocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor were secreted from iACS. Transplantation of iACS onto the acute myocardial infarction heart attenuated infarct size, inflammation, and left ventricular remodeling, mediated by intramyocardially secreted APN in a constitutive manner. This method might be a novel drug delivery system to treat heart disease.

Contribution of glucocorticoid-mineralocorticoid receptor pathway on the obesity-related adipocyte dysfunction.

AIMS: Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockade ameliorated insulin resistance with improvements in adipocytokine dysregulation, inflammation, and excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in obese adipose tissue and adipocytes, but its mechanism has not been clarified. The 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11ß-HSD1), producing active glucocorticoids, is highly expressed in adipocytes and glucocorticoids bind to MR with higher affinity than to glucocorticoid receptor (GR). We investigated whether glucocorticoids effect on adipocytokines and ROS through MR in adipocytes. In addition, fat distributions of MR and GR were investigated in human subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Corticoid receptors and their target genes were examined in adipose tissue of obese db/db mice. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with glucocorticoids, H(2)O(2), MR antagonist eplerenone (EP), GR antagonist RU486 (RU), MR-siRNA, and/or N-acetylcysteine. Human adipose tissues were obtained from seven patients who underwent abdominal surgery. The mRNA levels of MR and its target gene were higher in db/db mice than in control db/m+mice. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, glucocorticoids, similar to H(2)O(2), caused the dysregulation of mRNA levels of various genes related to adipocytokines and the increase of intracellular ROS. Such changes were rectified by MR blockade, not by GR antagonist. In human fat, MR mRNA level was increased in parallel with the increase of body mass index (BMI) and its increase was more significant in visceral fat, while there were no apparent correlations of GR mRNA level to BMI or fat distribution. CONCLUSION: Glucocorticoid-MR pathway may contribute to the obesity-related adipocytokine dysregulation and adipose ROS.

Efficacy of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, on body weight, eating behavior, and glycemic control, in Japanese obese type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported that short-term treatment with liraglutide (20.0 ± 6.4 days) reduced body weight and improved some scales of eating behavior in Japanese type 2 diabetes inpatients. However, it remained uncertain whether such liraglutide-induced improvement is maintained after discharge from the hospital. The aim of the present study was to determine the long-term effects of liraglutide on body weight, glycemic control, and eating behavior in Japanese obese type 2 diabetics. METHODS: Patients with obesity (body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m(2)) and type 2 diabetes were hospitalized at Osaka University Hospital between November 2010 and December 2011. BMI and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were examined on admission, at discharge and at 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge. For the liraglutide group (BMI; 31.3 ± 5.3 kg/m(2), n = 29), patients were introduced to liraglutide after correction of hyperglycemic by insulin or oral glucose-lowering drugs and maintained on liraglutide after discharge. Eating behavior was assessed in patients treated with liraglutide using The Guideline For Obesity questionnaire issued by the Japan Society for the Study of Obesity, at admission, discharge, 3 and 6 months after discharge. For the insulin group (BMI; 29.1 ± 3.0 kg/m(2), n = 28), each patient was treated with insulin during hospitalization and glycemic control maintained by insulin after discharge. RESULTS: Liraglutide induced significant and persistent weight loss from admission up to 6 months after discharge, while no change in body weight after discharge was noted in the insulin group. Liraglutide produced significant improvements in all major scores of eating behavior questionnaire items and such effect was maintained at 6 months after discharge. Weight loss correlated significantly with the decrease in scores for recognition of weight and constitution, sense of hunger, and eating style. CONCLUSION: Liraglutide produced meaningful long-term weight loss and significantly improved eating behavior in obese Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Dynamic changes of adiponectin and S100A8 levels by the selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist rivoglitazone.

OBJECTIVE: Accumulating evidence indicates that the regimen to increase adiponectin will provide a novel therapeutic strategy for metabolic syndrome. Here, we tested the effect of a potent and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist, rivoglitazone (Rivo), a newly synthesized thiazolidinedione derivative, on adiponectin, insulin resistance, and atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: ob/ob mice, apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE KO) mice, and apoE and adiponectin double knockout mice were administered pioglitazone, Rivo, or no compound. Remarkable elevation of plasma adiponectin was observed, especially in Rivo-treated ob/ob mice. Rivo ameliorated insulin resistance in ob/ob mice and reduced atherosclerotic areas in apoE KO mice compared with the pioglitazone group but failed to decrease atherosclerotic areas in double knockout mice. Among adipose mRNAs, adipose S100A8, which activates Toll-like receptor 4-dependent signal transduction cascades and locates upstream of inflammation, was markedly increased in ob/ob mice, and its increase was completely reversed by Rivo treatment. In RAW264.7 macrophage cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, Rivo significantly reduced S100A8 mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist Rivo remarkably enhanced adiponectin in plasma and decreased adipose S100A8 mRNA levels in obese mice. Rivo treatment apparently ameliorated insulin resistance in ob/ob mice and reduced atherosclerosis in apoE KO mice, partly through adiponectin.

Reciprocal regulation of natriuretic peptide receptors by insulin in adipose cells.

Atrial- and brain-type natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP, respectively) have been shown to exert potent lipolytic action in adipocytes. A family of natriuretic peptide receptors (NPRs), NPR-1, NPR-2, and NPR-3, mediates their physiologic effects. NPR-1 and NPR-2 are receptor guanylyl cyclases, while NPR-3 lacks enzymatic activity and functions primarily as a clearance receptor for natriuretic peptides. ANP has a high affinity for NPR-1 and NPR-3 than other natriuretic peptides. There is a possibility that ANP may exhibit its lipolytic effect through the balance of NPR-1 and NPR-3 expressions in adipocytes. However, the regulation of adipose NPRs has not been fully elucidated. We here examined the regulation of mouse adipose NPRs by insulin, an anti-lipolytic hormone. Among the insulin target organs, NPR-1 mRNA levels were higher in white adipose tissue (WAT) than in liver and skeletal muscle. NPR-3 mRNA was expressed most abundantly in WAT. Fasting condition induced NPR-1 mRNA level while suppressed NPR-3 mRNA level in WAT. Administration of streptozotocin resulted in the increase of NPR-1 mRNA level while the decrease of NPR-3 mRNA level in WAT. In ob/ob mice, hyperinsulinemic model, NPR-1 mRNA level was lower whereas NPR-3 mRNA level was higher compared to lean control mice. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin significantly reduced NPR-1 mRNA level while increased NPR-3 mRNA levels both through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) pathway. In summary, NPR-1 and NPR-3 were highly expressed in WAT and adipose NPR-1 and NPR-3 were reciprocally regulated by insulin. This study suggests that insulin may efficiently promote lipogenesis partly by reducing the lipolytic action of ANP through the opposite regulation of NPR-1 and NPR-3.

Juzentaihoto hot water extract alleviates muscle atrophy and improves motor function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic oxidative stress mice.

A decrease in skeletal muscle mass and motor function occurs in diabetic patients. In type 1 diabetic patients, in particular, fast-type fiber-dominated muscle atrophy occurs due to increased oxidative stress and inflammation. Juzentaihoto is a herbal medicine that has been found to be effective in reducing oxidative stress. In this study, juzentaihoto hot water extract (JTT) was administered prophylactically to mice with diabetic oxidative stress, which was induced by an injection of streptozotocin, and the effects on skeletal muscle mass, motor function, and antioxidant activity were evaluated. In mice that were administered JTT, skeletal muscle atrophy and loss of motor function were suppressed. Additionally, the administration of JTT increased the mRNA expression level of Sirt1 and the activity of superoxide dismutase in the gastrocnemius. In addition to skeletal muscle atrophy, atrophy of the liver, spleen and thymus gland, and kidney hypertrophy were also suppressed. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the antioxidant activity of 10 constituent crude drugs that comprise juzentaihoto, Sirt1 transcriptional activity in C2C12 cells was evaluated. The Sirt1 transcriptional activity was increased by Cinnamomi Cortex, Astragali Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix extracts. These three constituent crude drugs play an important function in the antioxidant action of juzentaihoto, suggesting that juzentaihoto can prevent muscle atrophy by decreasing oxidative stress.

Characteristics of sleep-wake cycle and sleep duration in Japanese type 2 diabetes patients with visceral fat accumulation.

Sleep pattern has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we investigated the difference in bedtime, waking time and estimated sleep duration in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with or without visceral fat accumulation, using a questionnaire on sleep patterns. The study participants were 59 Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (men/women 34/25, age 64.5 ± 12.1 years). Visceral fat accumulation was defined as estimated visceral fat area ≥100 cm2 . The patients with visceral fat accumulation (n = 40) showed significantly later bedtime (23.51 ± 01.27 h in the [+] group vs 22.49 ± 01.23 h in the [-] group) and shorter estimated sleep duration (6.6 ± 1.4 h in the [+] group vs 7.9 ± 1.0 h in the [-] group) on weekdays, compared with those without (n = 19). Later bedtime and shorter estimated sleep duration existed in the type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with visceral fat accumulation, compared with those without.

Treatment of Mitochondrial Diabetes with a Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor (PPAR)-gamma Agonist.

The 3243 A>G mutation in mitochondrial DNA is the most common cause of monogenic diabetes mellitus in Japan. A 45-year-old woman with mitochondrial diabetes and significant insulin resistance presented with hypoadiponectinemia despite a normal amount of visceral fat. Three months of treatment with pioglitazone (PIO) improved her blood glucose profile and response to the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. These changes were accompanied by the amelioration of her insulin resistance and the impairment of early-phase insulin secretion. Her serum adiponectin levels increased to the normal range. In this case of mitochondrial diabetes, PIO was effective for glycemic control.

[Evaluation of Gastric Mucosal Injury Model Animals of Rebamipide Formulation--Study of Therapeutic Equivalence].

The introduction of generic drugs is promoted from the perspective of medical economics. In this context, we need to understand not only the bioequivalence of generic drugs specified in "the Guidelines for Bioequivalence Studies of Generic Products", but also formulation properties to consider their effect on pharmacological therapy. We evaluated the pharmaceutical characteristics of rebamipide formulations, a brand-name drug and two generic drugs, and their clinical functionality by using rat models of gastric mucosal injury induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pharmaceutical evaluation showed significant differences in hardness. The inter-lot variation was small in all rebamipide formulations. In the clinical functionality study, biochemistry test values 7 d after the administration of rebamipide showed no differences among formulations. Higher levels of mucosal fluid secretion and antioxidative enzymes were observed in the groups administered rebamipide than in the control group. The levels of lipid peroxide were lower in the groups administered rebamipide than the control group. Multivariate analysis showed slight divergence between the brand-name and generic drugs. In future, it will be necessary to select generic drugs after careful consideration of bioequivalence, clinical functionality, and therapeutic equivalence by reviewing scientific evidence such as indication and formulation design, not to mention stable provision.

Bangle (Zingiber purpureum) Improves Spatial Learning, Reduces Deficits in Memory, and Promotes Neurogenesis in the Dentate Gyrus of Senescence-Accelerated Mouse P8.

Bangle (Zingiber purpureum) is a tropical ginger that is used as a spice in Southeast Asia. Phenylbutenoid dimers isolated from Bangle have exhibited neurotrophic effects in primary cultured rat cortical neurons and PC12 cells. Furthermore, chronic treatment with phenylbutenoid dimers enhances hippocampal neurogenesis in olfactory bulbectomized mice. In this study, we investigated the effects of Bangle extract on behavior and hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo. SAMP8 mice, which are an established model for accelerated aging, with age-related learning and memory impairments, were given a Bangle-containing diet for 1 month, and subsequent behavioral tests and immunohistochemistry for Ki67, a proliferating cell marker, were performed. We found that the Bangle-containing diet improved spatial learning and memory deficits in the Morris water maze and significantly increased the numbers of Ki67-positive cells in the dentate gyrus of the SAMP8 mice. In addition, the Bangle extract exhibited a neurotrophin-like activity as indicated by the induction of neurite sprouting in PC12 cells. Our results suggest that Bangle is beneficial for the prevention of age-related progression of cognitive impairment.

Matrix metalloproteinases as novel disease markers in Takayasu arteritis.

BACKGROUND: Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic vasculitis that primarily affects large elastic arteries. Monitoring of disease activity is crucial because the disease tends to progress despite treatment with glucocorticoid and/or immunosuppressive agents. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have generally been used as disease activity markers, but these are nonspecific inflammatory markers and lack the sensitivity and specificity to accurately monitor the disease status. Given the histological findings characterized by destruction of elastic fibers, we hypothesized that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) could be useful as markers of disease activity in TA. METHODS AND RESULTS: A consecutive series of 25 patients with TA were enrolled in this study. According to the National Institutes of Health criteria of disease activity, 11 were in an active phase and the remaining 14 were in remission. Circulating levels of MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9 were determined by ELISA in all patients with TA and controls. MMP-2 levels were higher in patients with TA than in controls, but no correlation was found between serum MMP-2 and disease activity score. In contrast, MMP-3 and MMP-9 levels in patients with active disease were higher than in patients in remission and controls, and a positive correlation was demonstrated between circulating levels of MMP-3 or MMP-9 and disease activity score. The high levels of MMP-3 and MMP-9 improved when patients underwent remission. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that MMP-2 can be helpful in diagnosing TA and that MMP-3 and MMP-9 can be used as activity markers for TA.