Search

BACKGROUND: Rice α‐globulin has been reported to have serum cholesterol‐lowering activity in rats. However, it is still unclear whether α‐globulin exerts this effect when taken as one of the dietary components. In the present study, we investigated the effect of two cultivars of rice, low glutelin content (LGC)‐1 and LGC‐Jun, on reducing serum cholesterol in exogenously hypercholesterolemic (ExHC) rats. LGC‐1 is enriched in α‐globulin (10.6 mg g−1 rice flour, which is an approximately 1.5 times higher α‐globulin content than in Koshihikari a predominant rice cultivar in Japan), whereas LGC‐Jun is a globulin‐negative cultivar. METHODS: ExHC rats, the model strain of diet‐induced hypercholesterolemia, were fed 50% LGC‐1 or LGC‐Jun and 0.5% cholesterol‐containing diets for 2 weeks, followed by measurement of cholesterol metabolism parameters in serum and tissues. RESULTS: Serum cholesterol and non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the LGC‐1 group compared to the LGC‐Jun group. Cholesterol intestinal absorption markers, hepatic and serum levels of campesterol and β‐sitosterol, and lymphatic cholesterol transport were not different between the two groups. Levels of 7α‐hydroxycholesterol, an intermediate of bile acid synthesis, showed a downward trend in the livers of rats that were fed LGC‐1 (P = 0.098). There was a significant decrease in the hepatic mRNA expression of Cyp7a1 (a synthetic enzyme for 7α‐hydroxycholesterol) in the LGC‐1 group compared to the LGC‐Jun group. CONCLUSION: Dietary LGC‐1 significantly decreased serum cholesterol levels in ExHC rats. The possible mechanism for the cholesterol‐lowering activity of LGC‐1 is partial inhibition of bile acid and cholesterol synthesis in the liver. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenal spread of Japanese lesson study (LS) beyond Japan is indicative of the perception that the seemingly obvious routines of LS are transferable into foreign contexts. It is, however, to be expected, that various aspects of LS would be adapted to suit the culture of the adopting context. The diverse ways in which LS is adapted across different contexts provides the opportunity for researchers to unpack what needs to be done to better adapt, implement and sustain LS to support teacher development across non-Japanese contexts. This paper is based on the findings from a nation-wide research project undertaken to explore the adaptations made to LS in Singapore schools. Surveys and case studies provided data to examine LS structure and implementation processes in Singapore schools and to investigate school leaders' and teachers' experiences and understandings of LS processes. In teasing out the subtle differences among the Singaporean adaptations and Japanese LS, we gleaned a deeper understanding of the cultural and contextual factors that elucidate key features of LS that are pertinent in creating the necessary conditions for effective teacher learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kurozu concentrated liquid (KCL) is used as a health-promoting supplement for the treatment of disorders such as cancer, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension in Japan. We investigated the possible anti-obesity effects of KCL in rats. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed American Institute of Nutrition 76 formula diet and were orally administrated KCL or acetic acid at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight or deionized water for 4 weeks. Adipocyte size, DNA content in subcutaneous adipose tissue, lipid levels in the serum and liver, and the rate of fatty acid excretion were determined. Effects of KCL on pancreatic lipase activity and 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation were investigated in vitro. Results: In the KCL group, the average adipocyte size in subcutaneous and perirenal adipose tissues was significantly reduced. The KCL-administered rats displayed greater numbers of small adipocytes in the subcutaneous, perirenal and mesenteric adipose tissues than did rats from the other groups. In the KCL group, the DNA content in subcutaneous adipose tissue was significantly increased. The rate of fatty acid excretion was significantly increased in the KCL group. Furthermore, KCL significantly inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro, and also significantly inhibited fat accumulation and mRNA expression of fatty acid binding protein 2 (aP2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated γ (PPARγ) in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. The levels of serum and liver lipids, the concentration of serum glucose, and the levels of adiponectin were similar among the 3 groups. Conclusion: Oral administration of KCL decreases the adipocyte size via inhibition of dietary fat absorption and reductions of PPARγ and aP2 mRNA expression levels in adipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]