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We previously found that equol, a metabolite of intestinal bacterial conversion from soy isoflavone daidzein, has female-specific anorectic effects. In the present study, we used seven-week-old female ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague Dawley rats to test the hypothesis that the anorectic effect of dietary daidzein may be attributed to delayed gastric emptying. Results suggest that dietary daidzein delays gastric emptying and that it has an anorectic effect with residual gastric contents, but not without gastric contents. Dietary equol significantly decreased daily food intake in the OVX rats without sleeve gastrectomy, but not in those with sleeve gastrectomy, suggesting that the accumulation of food in the stomach is required for the anorectic effect of equol to occur. These results support the hypothesis that the anorectic effect of dietary daidzein is attributed to delayed gastric emptying.

We previously found that daidzein decreased food intake in female rats. The present study aimed to elucidate the relationship between dynamics of appetite-mediated neuropeptides and the anorectic effect of daidzein. We examined appetite-mediated gene expression in the hypothalamus and small intestine during the 3 meals per day feeding method. Daidzein had an anorectic effect specifically at the second feeding. Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) and galanin mRNA levels in the hypothalamus were significantly higher after feeding in the control but not in the daidzein group, suggesting that daidzein attenuated the postprandial increase in NPY and galanin expression. The daidzein group had higher corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA levels in the hypothalamus after feeding, and increased cholelcystokinin (CCK) mRNA levels in the small intestine, suggesting that CCK is involved in the hypothalamic regulation of this anorectic effect. Therefore, daidzein may induce anorexia by suppressing expression of NPY and galanin and increasing expression of CRH in the hypothalamus.

We investigated the effect of daidzein feeding and estradiol treatment on food intake in cholecystokinin-1 receptor (CCK1R) deficiency, leptin receptor (ObRb) deficiency rats and their wild-type rats. These rats underwent an ovariectomy or a sham operation. For the 5 week experiment, each rat was divided in three groups: control, daidzein (150 mg/kg diet), and estradiol (4.2 μg/rat/day) groups. In both CCK1R+ and CCK1R− rats, daidzein feeding and estradiol treatment significantly decreased food intake. Daidzein feeding significantly reduced food intake in ovariectomized ObRb− rats, although not in ObRb+ rats. Estradiol treatment significantly lowered food intake in ovariectomized ObRb+ and ObRb− rats. In the ovariectomized rats, estradiol treatment significantly increases uterine weight, while daidzein feeding did not change it, suggesting that daidzein might have no or weak estrogenic effect in our experiment. These results suggest that CCK1R and ObRb signalings were not essential for the daidzein- and estradiol-induced anorectic action.

In our previous study, fish protein was proven to reduce serum lipids and body fat accumulation by skeletal muscle hypertrophy and enhancing basal energy expenditure in rats. In the present study, we examined the precise effects of fish protein intake on different skeletal muscle fiber types and metabolic gene expression of the muscle. Fish protein increased fast-twitch muscle weight, reduced liver triglycerides and serum glucose levels, compared with the casein diet after 6 or 8 weeks of feeding. Furthermore, fish protein upregulated the gene expressions of a fast-twitch muscle-type marker and a glucose transporter in the muscle. These results suggest that fish protein induces fast-muscle hypertrophy, and the enhancement of basal energy expenditure by muscle hypertrophy and the increase in muscle glucose uptake reduced liver lipids and serum glucose levels. The present results also imply that fish protein intake causes a slow-to-fast shift in muscle fiber type.

We compared the effects of two major isoflavones, daidzein and genistein, on lipid metabolism in rats. Daidzein (150 mg/kg diet), genistein (150 mg/kg diet), daidzein and genistein (1:1, 300 mg/kg diet), or control diets were fed to 4 groups of 6-week-old ovariectomized (Ovx) and non-Ovx Sprague Dawley rats for 4 weeks. Dietary daidzein, but not genistein, reduced serum and hepatic total cholesterol levels significantly relative to that by the control group, regardless of whether the rats had undergone ovariectomy. Genistein did not exhibit any physiological effects on lipid levels, but did affect genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. These results indicate that daidzein and genistein may influence lipid regulation via differing modes of action.

We compared the cytotoxic activities of dietary epoxylignans and their stereoisomers and found (−)-verrucosin, which is (7S,7′R,8R,8′R)-7,7′-epoxylignan, to be the most cytotoxic epoxylignan against HeLa cells (IC50 = 6.6 μM). On the other hand, the activity was about a factor of 10 less against HL-60. In this research on the relationship between the structure and cytotoxic activity of (−)-verrucosin 13, the 7-(4-methoxyphenyl)-7′-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) derivative 60, for which the activity (IC50 = 2.4 μM) is three times greater than (−)-verrucosin 13, was discovered. The induction of apoptosis by caspase 3/7 was observed upon treatment with the (−)-verrucosin derivative. 3′,4,4′-Trimethoxy-7,7′-epoxylignan showed highest IC50 value (2.4 μM) in this structure–cytotoxic activity relationship experiment of 7,7′-epoxylignan. The IC50 value of natural (−)-verrucosin was 6.6 μM.

The relationship between the stereochemistry and antimicrobial activity of butane-type lignans was clarified. All stereoisomers of dihydroguaiaretic acid (DGA) showed both antibacterial and antifungal activity. The (+)- and (-)-7,7'-dioxodihydroguaiaretic acid (ODGA) also showed both antibacterial and antifungal activity, while meso-ODGA did not show antibacterial activity, but showed antifungal activity. No activity of any stereoisomer of secoisolariciresinol (SECO) was apparent.

The syntheses of all stereoisomers of tetrasubstituted tetrahydrofuran lignan were accomplished, and the antimicrobial activity was examined. The 9,9'-diol compound bearing (7R,7'R,8R,8'R) and (7R,7'S,8R,8'R) stereochemistry showed the strongest antibacterial activity against Listeria denitrificans and Bacillus subtilis, respectively. It was also found that (-)-virgatusin bearing (7S,7'R,8S,8'S) stereochemistry had strongest antifungal activity.

The antioxidant activity of butane-type lignans was evaluated. Secoisolariciresinol (SECO) and dihydroguaiaretic acid (DGA) showed higher radical scavenging activity than that of 7,7'-dioxodihydroguaiaretic acid (ODGA). SECO and DGA inhibited the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acid. Both enantiomers of DGA were also lipoxygenase inhibitors, but neither enantiomer of SECO inhibited the lipoxygenase activity.

The relationship between the antibacterial activity and structure of 9-O,9'-O-demethyl (+)-virgatusin (Virg 3) was examined. The conversion of hydroxy groups on the 9 and 9' positions to amino groups increased the activity. It was found that the 3'-methoxy group was more important for higher activity than the 4'-methoxy group on the 7'-phenyl group, and that the 3,4-methylenedioxy group on the 7-phenyl group was necessary for activity.

The benzyl mesylate was employed to construct the tetrasubstituted tetrahydrofuran lignan with avoiding Friedel-Crafts type of reaction. The optically pure 7,8-trans, 7′,8′-trans, 7,7′-cis, and 8,8′-cis-virgatusin stereoisomers were synthesized. The enantiomeric excess was >>99%.

We applied licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) to high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice and investigated its effect. LFO contains hydrophobic flavonoids obtained from licorice by extraction with ethanol. The oil is a mixture of medium-chain triglycerides, having glabridin, a major flavonoid of licorice, concentrated to 1.2% (w/w). Obese mice were fed on a high-fat diet containing LFO at 0 (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% for 8 weeks. Compared with mice in the control group, those in the 1% and 2% LFO groups efficiently reduced the weight of abdominal white adipose tissues and body weight gain. A histological examination revealed that the adipocytes became smaller and the fatty degenerative state of the hepatocytes was improved in the 2% LFO group. A DNA microarray analysis of the liver showed up-regulation of those genes for beta-oxidation and down-regulation of those for fatty acid synthesis in the 2% LFO group. These findings suggest that LFO prevented and ameliorated diet-induced obesity via the regulation of lipid metabolism-related gene expression in the liver.

The cytotoxic activity for colon 26 cell line of matairesinol, oxidized matairesinol, 9,9'-epoxylignan and oxidized 9,9'-epoxylignan were examined. (-)-Matairesinol (Mat 1) showed greatest cytotoxic activity (LC(50)=9 microg/ml) of the lactone-type lignans. 7,7'-Oxomatairesinol having same steric configuration as that of (-)-matairesinol showed greater activity (LC(50)=25 microg/ml) than hydroxy or mono-oxomatairesinol. The activities of 9,9'-epoxylignan and 7,7'-oxo-9,9'-epoxylignan having same steric configurations as (-)-matairesinol were weaker than that of corresponding matairesinols. Different activity levels were observed between enantiomers.

The radical and superoxide scavenging activities of oxidized matairesinols were examined. It could be assumed that the free benzylic position was important for higher radical scavenging activity. The different level of activity was observed between 7'-oxomatairesinol (Mat 2) and 7-oxomatairesinol (Mat 3). The activity of 8-hydroxymatairesinol was lower than that of matairesinol (Mat 1). The superoxide scavenging activity of the oxidized matairesinols was also demonstrated for the first time. It is assumed that the pKa value of phenol in the oxidized matairesinols affected this activity.

Modulation of the activity and content of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) in hepatic microsomes may be important to human health since these enzymes activate and inactivate a wide range of xenobiotics and food components. Regulation of the inducibility of most CYPs involves transcriptional regulation and post-transcriptional mRNA stabilization. We examined in the present study the effect of dietary soy isoflavone (0-300 mg of isoflavone/kg of diet) on the mRNA abundance of rat hepatic CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2B1/2, CYP2C11, CYP2E1, CYP3A1, CYP3A2 and CYP4A1 by quantitative competitive RT-PCR and real-time monitored RT-PCR. A fermented soy extract containing 155 mg/g of genistein, 127 mg/g of daidzein, and other minor isoflavones was used as the isoflavone source. The dietary soy isoflavone had no affect on the hepatic mRNA abundance of these CYPs. The results by both methods were well matched and indicate that the dietary soy isoflavone did not cause the induction of CYPs by transcriptional step-up regulation or post-transcriptional mRNA stabilization.

We applied Chrysanthemum flower oil (CFO) to a hyperuricemia model by feeding rats a hyperuricemia-inducing diet (HID) and investigated its effect on serum uric acid (SUA) levels and its mode of action. CFO is the oily fraction that contains polyphenols derived from chrysanthemum flowers. Oral administration of CFO to HID-fed rats significantly decreased their SUA levels. It also inhibited xanthine oxidase activities in the liver and increased urine uric acid levels. The effects of CFO on the renal gene expressions that accompanied the induction of hyperuricemia were comprehensively confirmed by DNA microarray analysis. The analysis showed up-regulation of those genes for uric acid excretion by CFO administration. These results suggest that CFO suppresses the increase in SUA levels via two mechanisms: suppression of uric acid production by inhibition of xanthine oxidase in the liver and acceleration of its excretion by up-regulation of uric acid transporter genes in the kidney.

An extracellular endo-polygalacturonase (PGase) produced by a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was isolated. The enzyme was regarded, immunologically, as a PGase belonging to the Kluyveromyces marxianus group. The enzyme had properties similar to the PGase from K. marxianus in heat and pH stability, and N-terminal amino acid sequence. However, the enzyme showed different properties in optimum pH and temperature, molecular weight, and reactivity in antiserum against PGase from K. marxianus, indicating that the enzyme has a different molecular structure from the PGase from K. marxianus.

The fruit of mume, Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.), was evaluated for its phenolics content, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile and antioxidative activities. The phenolics content of mume fruit was relatively high, the flesh of fully matured fruit containing up to 1% of phenolics on a dry weight basis. Reflecting such a high content of phenolics, the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) value for mume fruit flesh showed high values, ranging from 150 to 320 µmol/g Trolox equivalent, depending upon the stage of maturation. 5-O-Caffeoylqunic acid (chlorogenic acid), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid and tetra-O-acylated sucrose-related compounds were isolated from the flesh of mume fruit, although many unknown peaks were also apparent in the HPLC chromatogram. An alkali hydrolysate comprised four main phenolic acids, caffeic acid, cis/trans-p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid. No flavonoids were observed in the analysis. These results suggest that the majority of phenolics in mume fruit were hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives.

The linear double stranded DNA plasmid pGKL1 encodes the yeast killer toxin complex (Gunge et al., 1981) of which the killing mechanism is not understood. We isolated and characterized eight mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that were insensitive to both the intracellularly expressed 28-kDa killer subunit and the native killer toxin complex. These mutations (iki1 through iki5) were all recessive, and classified into five complementation groups. The iki2 mutation was mapped to a position near the centromere on chromosome XIII. We developed a novel screening system to isolate the DNA fragments complementing the iki mutations from a Saccharomyces gene library, and isolated three DNA fragments that complement the iki1, iki3, and iki4 mutations, respectively.

In a culture filtrate of Trichosporan penicillatum B2, which is a gamma-ray irradiation mutant induced from T. penicillatum SNO3, we found three kinds of pectin-releasing enzymes, protopectinases SE1, SE2, and SE3, that have endo-polygalacturonase activity. These enzymes were purified to homogeneity with cation-exchange and size exclusion chromatographies. The major PPase in the culture filtrate was PPase SE1, which accounted for 75% of total activities in the culture filtrate, and the two others were 0.15% (PPase SE2) and 0.007% (PPase SE3). Their molecular masses were approximately 41, 41, and 42 kDa on SDS-PAGE, respectively. They had similar enzymatic properties but different PPase activity and pH- and thermo-stability. Antibody against PPase S, which is produced by strain SNO3, inhibited the activities of PPase SE1, SE2, and SE3. However PPase SE1 was completely inhibited by treatment with the anti-PPase S antibody, but the activities of PPases SE2 and SE3 remained at 20 and 50% of the original activity, respectively.

Application of cryoultramicrotomy to immunoelectron microscopy showed the localization of the chitin synthase of Absidia glauca in situ by using anti-chitin synthase IgG. Mild fixation with a mixture of 0.25% glutaraldehyde and 4% formaldehyde did not destroy the antibody-binding capacity of chitin synthase and preserved the ultrastructure of organelles. Infusion with a mixture of polyvinylpyrrolidone and sucrose as a cryoprotectant before freezing provided adequate sectioning plasticity. Immunolabeling of colloidal gold was detected both at the plasma membrane and the vesicles, and more so in the latter. The results of immunoelectron microscopy were consistent with the fractionation profile of isopycnic sedimentation of the microsomal fraction on a linear sucrose gradient. The profile also demonstrated two peaks of chitin synthase, one of these cosedimented with vanadate-sensitive ATPase and the other with lower buoyant density populations. The former corresponded to the plasma membrane and the later, ve...

Matairesinol is one of the lignan compounds found in a variety of plant foodstuffs. We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of (−)-matairesinol in vivo and ex vivo by using mice. Although we found no significant differences in the IgG, IgA and IgM levels in the serum, the IgE level was strongly suppressed by the uptake of (−)-matairesinol in both intact and ovalbumin-immunized mice. The immunoglobulin produced by lymphocytes from the spleen was not activated by the intake of (−)-matairesinol. However, lymphocytes in such gut-associated lymphatic tissues as Peyer’s patches and mesenteric lymph nodes were activated by the administration of (−)-matairesinol.

The relationship between the structure of naturally occurring (7R,7′R,8R,8′R)-morinol B and its antifungal activity was examined. 3-Demethoxy morinol B showed much higher activity than the natural compound. The activity of the 4-butoxy-3-demethoxy derivative was higher than that of 3-demethoxy morinol B.

The IgE-suppressive activity of (-)-matairesinol is demonstrated, and the structure-activity relationship of (-)-matairesinol clarified. 3',4-Dihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxylignano-9,9'-lactone showed higher IgE-suppressive activity than (-)-matairesinol without any cytotoxic activity. Some derivatives bearing a longer and more bulky alkoxy group at the 3 or 4 position showed IgE-accelerative activity.

The inhibitory effect of (-)-, (+)-matairesinol and (-)-, (+)-secoisolariciresinol on the discoloration of dark muscle (chiai in Japanese) of two-year-old yellowtail (hamachi in Japanese) was evaluated by measuring the X and a(*) values. (-)-Matairesinol was most effective for retaining the red color of dark muscle in this experiment.

The antimicrobial activity of all stereoisomers of morinols A and B was tested. All stereoisomers of morinols A and B showed antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata, especially (−)-morinol B which showed the strongest activity. The natural component, (+)-morinol A, and unnatural stereoisomer, (7S,7′S,8R,8′R)-morinol B, showed antibacterial activity against the gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and Listeria denitrificans.

As we have reported, flaxseed lignan, (+)-secoisolariciresinol (SECO), (-)-SECO, and meso-SECO were stereoselectively synthesized and their biological functions were evaluated. In the present study, we focused on the effects of SECOs on the regulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and identified the structure-activity relationships. Optically active SECO and meso-SECO were tested for their effects on lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. (-)-SECO accelerated adiponectin production of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. On the other hand, (+)- and meso-SECO suppressed the production of adiponectin. In addition, triglyceride (TG) accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was significantly suppressed by all three SECOs tested here, as was 17beta-estradiol, when the SECOs were added to the medium during induction of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to adipocytes. Especially, (-)-SECO strongly reduced TG accumulation. It is well-known that SECO has estrogen-like activity. Hence the estrogen-like activity of each SECO compound was assessed. Only (-)-SECO had estrogen-like activity.

All stereoisomers of goniodiol were synthesized from yeast-reduction products. The C-6 chiral centers were converted from the chiral centers of the yeast-reduction products. Stereoselective conversion of the alkene, which had been prepared from the yeast-reduction product, to glycol constructed the C-7 and C-8 stereochemistry. (+)-Goniodiol and 7-epi-(+)-goniodiol showed the highest antibacterial activity (MIC, 3.1 mM) against Yersinia intermedia.

The production of violacein by Pseudoalteromonas sp. 520P1 has many features of quorum sensing. Signaling molecules were extracted from bacterial culture and subsequently identified as N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-homoserine lactone and N-tetradecanoyl-homoserine lactone. The former but not the latter induced the production of violacein in strain 520P1. We conclude that N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-homoserine lactone is a signaling molecule involved in the production of violacein.

Tetra-substituted tetrahydrofuran compounds were stereoselectively prepared from benzylic hemiacetal in the neutral condition by employing the simple reagent, H(2), and a Pd catalyst. The stereoselective conversion of benzylic hemiacetal to two different stereoisomers of the tetrasubstituted tetrahydrofuran compound was observed. One of these tetrahydrofuran compounds was converted to the virgatusin stereoisomer to estimate its antimicrobiological activity.

The first stereoselective synthesis of meso-secoisolariciresinol is reported. A comparison of the cytotoxic and immunosuppressive activity between meso-secoisolariciresinol and optically active secoisolariciresinols was similarly performed for the first time. Both enantiomers of secoisolariciresinol accelerated IgM production, although meso-secoisolariciresinol did not affect IgM production. Only meso-secoisolariciresinol showed cytotoxic activity.

The effect of oxidation degree at the benzylic position of 2,3-dibenzyl-4-butanolide and 3,4-dibenzyltetrahydrofuran lignans on the antimicrobiological activity was examined. The highest oxidation degree at the benzylic position of 2,3-dibenzyl-4-butanolide gave the greatest activity, and 3,4-dibenzoyltetrahydrofuran showed the highest antifungal activity. The relationship between stereochemistry and activity was also examined. Both enantiomers of cis-matairesinol were synthesized for the first time, one of the cis-matairesinols showing antibacterial activity.

Antifungal activities of the optically pure (>99%ee) (-)- and (+)-virgatusin, a tetra-substituted tetrahydrofuran lignan, were tested. (-)-Virgatusin, which is a natural product, showed highest antifungal activity against Colletotrichum lagenarium. Research on its structure-activity relationship was also performed. It was shown that two methoxy groups on 9 and 9' positions and a 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl group on the 7 position of virgatusin were essential for high fungal growth inhibition. The part on 7'-phenyl group was not essential for activity. The 7'-(4-methoxyphenyl) derivative showed higher activity than that of (-)-virgatusin.

The relationship between antibacterial activity of tetra-substituted tetrahydrofuran lignans (1–4) and their absolute configurations was tested. Only compound 4 among two virgatusins and two related compounds exhibited growth inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria denitrificans. Compound 4 affected the growth of B. subtilis in a bactericidic manner, and its ability to dissipate the cytoplasmic membrane potential was investigated using the fluorescence probe 3,3′-dipropylthiadicarbocyanine iodide. These results suggested that compound 4 damages cells by causing the loss of the proton motive force and disruption of the cellular integrity of the membrane, leading to cell death. In addition, it was shown that the antibacterial activity of a lignan was closely related to its absolute configuration and functional groups.

We examined the effect of administering an isoflavone-rich fermented soybean extract (FSBE) on the serum cholesterol concentrations in male rats and in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Dietary FSBE decreased the serum cholesterol concentrations in intact female and OVX rats, but did not affect the concentrations in male rats. Dietary FSBE increased the hepatic total and esterified cholesterol contents in the intact female rats, but decreased them in the OVX rats. This hypocholesterolemic effect was not a simple estrogenic effect because it has appeared in some reports that estrogen administration decreased serum cholesterol both male and female rats. Dietary FSBE increased the hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene expression in the intact female rats as has previously been reported from many studies, but did not affect that of the OVX rats. Further investigation is needed into the hypocholesterolemic mechanism of FSBE.

We evaluated the body energy accumulation as fat and protein from ingestion of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII). Male Wistar rats were fed 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g per d of sucrose or DFAIII added to a 7 g of basal diet for 20 d. Supplements of DFAIII did not increase whole body or peripheral fat or total body energy, whereas sucrose increased them in a dose-dependent manner. Dose-dependent increases in body water were observed in both groups. The body protein was influenced by the dose of sugars. The estimated available energy value of DFAIII was 0.263 kcal per gram; this value is one-fifteenth that of sucrose. Ingestion of DFAIII dose-dependently increased the cecal SCFA pool. DFAIII was not detected in feces, showing complete degradation of DFAIII in the intestine. These results indicate that DFAIII is a fermentable saccharide with quite low available energy for fat accumulation.

A new route for the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol (PI) having a polyunsaturated fatty acyl group was developed by using lipase and phospholipase C as biocatalysts to supplement the normal chemical reactions.

To examine whether 1,5-anhydroglucitol (AG) is derived from starch degradation in plant tissues, we colorimetrically measured AG contents of germinating amaranth seeds and ripening banana pulp. In both cases, as starch degradation proceeded, AG levels were significantly increased, but were 1,700-5,000 times lower than those of total soluble carbohydrates. alpha-1,4-Glucan lyase activity, which is measured by the 1,5-anhydrofructose (AF) liberated from non-reducing glucose residues of starch or glycogen, was too low to be detected in amaranth or banana by the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid method. On the other hand, AF reductase, which reduces AF to AG, was detected in germinating amaranth seeds and banana pulp. Thus, the increases in AG levels are conceived to be derived from starch breakdown, although further investigation is needed to answer whether the starch degradation pathway via alpha-1,4-glucan lyase/AF reductase exists in plant tissues.