Search

Presenteeism is a problem that needs to be solved urgently, both for individual workers and for society overall. In this report, we propose the concept of MHC, which refers to mild mental and physical complaints subjectively perceived by individuals that are not caused by illness. We also planned to examine what kind of physical and mental disorder MHC is and whether food is effective as a method of self-care for MHC. First, we conducted “the comprehensive survey to establish an integrated database of food, gut microbiome, and health information” (the “Sukoyaka Health Survey”) and obtained data on psychosomatic disorders and intakes of dietary nutrients. As a result, through factor analysis and item response theory analysis, we found the following specific examples of MHC: lack of vigor, irritability, fatigue, and somatic complaints. In addition, analysis of the relationship between these four MHC levels and the intake dietary nutrients indicated that they are closely related and that MHC levels can be improved by consuming sufficient amounts of multiple nutrients.

The purple-flesh potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivar “Shadow Queen” (SQ) naturally contains anthocyanins. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study determines whether ingesting purple potatoes increases the number of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and improves stress response, a minor health complaint in healthy adults (registration number: UMIN000038876). A total of 15 healthy subjects (ages: 50–70 years) with minor health complaints were randomly assigned to one of two groups. For 8 weeks, the placebo group received placebo potatoes cv. “Haruka” and the test group received test potato cv. SQ containing 45 mg anthocyanin. The MSC count and several stress responses were analyzed at weeks 0 and 8 of the intake periods. The ingestion of a SQ potato did not affect the MSC count but markedly improved psychological stress response, irritability, and depression as minor health complaints compared with “Haruka”. No adverse effects were noted. Hence, an 8-week intake of SQ could improve stress responses.

Sweeteners are widely used in food products, and their sweetness potency is usually evaluated by comparing it with that of sucrose. This, however, has led to confusion as some sweeteners are evaluated based on their maximum value of sweet taste response, while others are evaluated by their threshold value. Here, we aimed to develop a novel nonverbal sweetness evaluation system through the sweet taste signal transduction by comparing the responses of the sweet taste receptor, salivation, taste intensity, and preference among six sweeteners. The hT1r2/hT1r3 sweet taste receptor responses represented the input signal of the sweet taste signal transduction, while salivation, sweet taste intensity, and participants' preferences represented the output signals by the gustatory–salivary reflex, primary gustatory cortex area, and the secondary gustatory cortex, respectively. Our results showed that the sweet taste receptor, sweet intensity, and salivary secretion responses were concentration‐dependent and expressed exponentially. Moreover, the results comparing coefficients showed 15–35 times more sensitivity between the response of hT1r2/hT1r3 and the salivation or the sweet taste intensity in non‐nutrient sweeteners. The preference graph curve was not exponential, suggesting that the sweetener preference was not related to the sweet taste receptor, salivation, or sweet taste intensity. These results may suggest that the sweet taste signal of the non‐nutritive sweeteners might be maintained by taste reception by hT1r2/hT1r3 to taste recognition in the primary gustatory area and that receptor responses and salivation could be used as indicators of sweetness intensity., Sweet intensity, and salivary secretion responses were concentration‐dependent. Sensitivity differences between taste receptor and intensity ranged from 15 to 35. Sweeteners preference is not correlated with the sweet taste receptor.

Objectives Minor health complaints related to stress, mental health, sleep, and fatigue are closely associated with each other, and their deterioration may cause lifestyle diseases. The health status of people can be predicted through a questionnaire by exploring the relationship between their state of minor health complaints and objective health status indices. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the relationship between a questionnaire on the state of minor health complaints and health status indices among Japanese people who have a high level of stress, which they experience on a daily basis, using epidemiological literature. Additionally, we considered items for the questionnaire which were necessary for an index development.Methods The PubMed database was searched for papers on "autonomic nervous system," "sleep disorders," "mental health and stress," and "fatigue," using keywords mentioned in previous studies on minor health complaints. The extracted research papers were screened according to the following inclusion criteria: 1) the participants were healthy Japanese people; 2) descriptions included characteristics of the target population; 3) use of analytic epidemiological study design, intervention studies, and systematic reviews; 4) minor health complaints assessed by a questionnaire; 5) evaluation of the relationship between the questionnaires for minor health complaints and the health index; and 6) written in Japanese or English. Based on this, ten papers were adopted.Results Of the 10 papers collected, one was a cohort study, three were case-control studies, and six were cross-sectional studies. The participants in five of them were working adults. Reports on three out of six questionnaires on stress, four out of seven on sleep, and all two on comprehensive health status showed significant associations between minor health complaints assessed by the questionnaires and the index for health status. The increase in responses about work-related stress from the questionnaire was associated with an increase in the "risk of developing depression" [odds ratio 2.96 (confidence interval: 1.04-8.42)]. Poor sleep quality was associated with an increase in "changes in autonomic index," "number of comorbidities and the rate of depression," and the "risk of work-related injuries." Moreover, the health score was associated with the "autonomic nervous system index".Conclusion These results suggest that a questionnaire evaluating minor health complaints should include questions about "stress," "sleep quality," and "comprehensive health status." Since studies that appropriately adopted for risk of bias were limited, it is necessary to further examine these relationships by applying prospective studies such as cohort studies and intervention studies.

We investigated the combined effects of 'Benifuuki,' a tea cultivar that contains O-methylated catechins like epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate, and quercetin on hepatic fat accumulation in male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet for 15 d. Rats given 'Benifuuki'+quercetin had synergistically lower liver triglyceride (TG) level compared with rats given 'Benifuuki' or quercetin alone. Compared with 'Benifuuki' or quercetin alone, supplementation with 'Benifuuki'+quercetin resulted in a low level of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1) gene expression levels. These results suggest that the combination of 'Benifuuki' and quercetin has greater liver lipid-lowing effects than that of 'Benifuuki' or quercetin alone. The liver TG-lowing effect of combination of 'Benifuuki' with quercetin may be partially mediated by the suppression of lipogenesis. The combination of 'Benifuuki' and quercetin suppresses hepatic fat accumulation in high fat high cholesterol diet fed rats, showing a new trend of 'Benifuuki' as synergist with quercetin.

The anti-allergic effect of epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3”Me) and epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG4”Me) isolated from Japanese or Taiwanese tea (Camellia sinensis L.) leaves. These catechins strongly inhibited mast cell activation and histamine release after FcepsilonRI cross-linking through the suppression of tyrosine phosphorylation (Lyn) of cellular protein kinase, and the suppression of myosin light chain phosphorylation and high-affinity IgE receptor expression via the binding to 67kDa laminin receptor. A double blind clinical study on subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis was carried out. At the eleventh weeks after starting to intake, the most severe cedar pollen scattering period, symptoms i.e. blowing nose, itch of eyes were significantly relieved in Benifuuki group compared with placebo group. Over one consecutive month intake of Benifuuki green containing O-methylated catechin tea was useful for reduction of some symptoms derived from Japanese cedar pollinosis, and did not affect any normal immune response in the subjects with Japanese cedar-pollinosis. From the investigation that the effects of cultivars, tea seasons of crops and manufacturing methods, green or semi-fermented teas, made from fully-matured Benifuuki in second crop season, should be consumed. It is possible to develop functional articles such as beverage or food with this Benifuuki green tea.

Folic acid and folate receptors (FOLRs) play an important role in the downregulation of homocysteine (Hcy), a risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease, thrombosis, neuropsychiatric illness and fractures. While several studies have reported that FOLR1 and FOLR2 import folic acid into cells, the role of FOLR3 remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated the impact of FOLR3 on the metabolism of Hcy alongside its protective effect against homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity. To reveal the role of FOLR3, we constructed FOLR3-overexpressed HEK293 cells (FOLR3+ cells) and evaluated cell growth, folic acid intake and Hcy-induced neurotoxicity. Subjects with a high expression of FOLR3 exhibited low levels of plasma homocysteine. The ectopic expression of FOLR3 enhanced cell growth, and the enhanced effect was neutralised by folic acid-deficient media. The Western blot analysis revealed that FOLR3 is secreted into cell supernatant. The folic acid intake of FOLR3+ cells was higher than that of wild-type cells. Supernatant from FOLR3+ cells showed a protective effect on Hcy-induced cytotoxicity. FOLR3 expression in plasma is negatively correlated with plasma homocysteine. Our study emphasizes the role of FOLR3 in the intake of folic acid into cells on the one hand and its protective role in Hcy-induced cytotoxicity on the other.

Objective Metabolic syndrome and the presence of metabolic syndrome components are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association between personality traits and metabolic syndrome remains controversial, and few studies have been conducted in East Asian populations. Methods We measured personality traits using the Japanese version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (Revised Short Form) and five metabolic syndrome components—elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting glucose—in 1322 participants aged 51.1 ± 12.7 years old from Kakegawa city, Japan. Metabolic syndrome score (MS score) was defined as the number of metabolic syndrome components present, and metabolic syndrome as having the MS score of 3 or higher. We performed multiple logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between personality traits and metabolic syndrome components and multiple regression analyses to examine the relationship between personality traits and MS scores adjusted for age, sex, education, income, smoking status, alcohol use, and family history of CVD and diabetes mellitus. We also examine the relationship between personality traits and metabolic syndrome presence by multiple logistic regression analyses. Results “Extraversion” scores were higher in those with metabolic syndrome components (elevated waist circumference: P = 0.001; elevated triglycerides: P = 0.01; elevated blood pressure: P = 0.004; elevated fasting glucose: P = 0.002). “Extraversion” was associated with the MS score (coefficient = 0.12, P = 0.0003). No personality trait was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Higher “extraversion” scores were related to higher MS scores, but no personality trait was significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome.

Background In Japan, there is a need for development of functional foods that contribute to the maintenance and improvement of health in the elderly. Scope and approach In April, 2015, Consumer affairs Agency launched a new food labeling system known as “ Food with Function Claims (FFC) .” Under this system, industry and agricultural producers independently evaluate scientific evidence on agricultural and marine health foods and describe the functional properties that warrant health claims to promote informed use by consumers. To clarify the effects of functional foods on human health, the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) implemented the “Research Project on Development of Agricultural Products and Foods with Health-Promoting Benefits.” Key findings and conclusions As of May 26, 2017, 931 functional foods were classified as FFC. We demonstrated that Satsuma mandarins are rich in β-cryptoxanthin and reduce the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The Japanese tea cultivar Benifuuki is rich in O -methylated catechins , which are present at low levels in common green tea, and has anti-allergic effects. Satsuma mandarins and Benifuuki green tea were subsequently released as FFC in 2015. We elucidated the health-promoting effects of functional agricultural products to produce healthy boxed lunches and established a database of functional agricultural products. There is a need for additional FFC, including processed foods, that contain only raw materials from agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.

Here, we demonstrated the expression of the N-glycosylated extracellular ligand binding domain of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in middle silk glands (MSGs) of transgenic silkworms using the GAL4/UAS system. Over 1 mg of sRAGE was obtained from one transgenic silkworm. sRAGE purified from the silkworm exhibited good stability and maintained specific ligand-binding ability. In addition, N-glycan analysis of sRAGE revealed that N-glucan completely lacked potentially allergenic fucose. Moreover, co-expression of biotin ligase (BirA) with C-terminal BioEase-tagged sRAGE in MSGs resulted in efficient biotinylation of sRAGE after addition of biotin bait. C-terminal biotinylated sRAGE could be immobilized onto a solid surface in one direction through binding to streptavidin without any loss of ability. The dissociation constant of sRAGE with fructose-BSA, a typical RAGE ligand, was 7.25 × 10−7 M, consistent with that on the mammalian cell surface. Thus, we developed a novel, innovative silkworm expression system for efficient expression of recombinant sRAGE, which could serve as a basis for the elucidation of RAGE-ligand interactions and facilitate the search for new ligands and inhibitors.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a rich source of lycopene, a carotenoid that confers various positive biological effects such as improved lipid metabolism. Here, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study to investigate the effects of regular and continuous intake of a new high-lycopene tomato, a variety named PR-7, for 12 weeks, based on 74 healthy Japanese subjects with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels &ge, 120 to &lt, 160 mg/dL. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the high-lycopene tomato or placebo (lycopene-free tomato) group. Each subject in the high-lycopene group ingested 50 g of semidried PR-7 (lycopene, 22.0&ndash, 27.8 mg/day) each day for 12 weeks, while subjects in the placebo group ingested placebo semidried tomato. Medical interviews were conducted, vital signs were monitored, body composition was determined, and blood and saliva samples were taken at weeks 0 (baseline), 4, 8, and 12. The primary outcome assessed was LDL-C. The intake of high-lycopene tomato increased lycopene levels in this group compared to levels in the placebo group (p &lt, 0.001). In addition, high-lycopene tomato intake improved LDL-C (p = 0.027). The intake of high-lycopene tomato, PR-7, reduced LDL-C and was confirmed to be safe.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a rich source of lycopene, a carotenoid that confers various positive biological effects such as improved lipid metabolism. Here, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group comparative study to investigate the effects of regular and continuous intake of a new high-lycopene tomato, a variety named PR-7, for 12 weeks, based on 74 healthy Japanese subjects with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥120 to

PR5-like protein and osmotin-like protein PR-5 are osmotin-like proteins found in sweet pepper and eggplant, respectively. These belong to the family of 5 pathogenesis-related proteins, which are considered a plentiful source of allergens. Recently, we established an assay to quantify protein NP24, an osmotin-like protein of tomato, using absolute quantification method with a stable isotope-labeled internal standard peptide (GQTWVINAPR[13C6,15N4]) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. In this study, the peaks of GQTWVINAPR derived from PR5-like protein and osmotin-like protein PR-5 were detected by multiple reaction monitoring. The results indicated that the assay could be applied for the quantification of these proteins.

Dyslipidaemia is a significant cardiovascular risk factor. Green tea catechins are known to have cholesterol-lowering effects. We investigated the beneficial effects of “Benifuuki,” containing O-methylated catechin, on cardiovascular risk factors, specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. One-hundred fifty-five participants who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 3 groups: “Benifuuki,” “Yabukita,” or barley infusion drinkers. We evaluated the changes in parameters after 12 weeks. Serum LDL cholesterol levels in the “Benifuuki”-consuming participants were significantly lower than those in barley infusion-consuming participants without a green tea habit. Furthermore, the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 containing apolipoprotein B (LAB) levels in “Benifuuki” drinkers were significantly lower than those in the barley infusion group and the “Benifuuki” baseline LAB level. In participants without a green tea habit, “Benifuuki” significantly reduced the serum LDL cholesterol level and the LAB levels compared to those observed after barley infusion consumption.

Pru av 2, a pathogenesis-related (PR) protein present in the sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) fruit, is the principal allergen of cherry and one of the chief causes of pollen food syndrome (oral allergy syndrome). In this study, a quantitative assay for this protein was developed with the use of the protein absolute quantification (AQUA) method, which consists of liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) employing TGC[CAM]STDASGK[(13)C6,(15)N2], a stable isotope-labelled internal standard (SIIS) peptide. This assay gave a linear relationship (r(2)>0.99) in a concentration range (2.3-600fmol/μL), and the overall coefficient of variation (CV) for multiple tests was 14.6%. Thus, the contents of this allergenic protein in sweet cherry products could be determined using this assay. This assay should be valuable for allergological investigations of Pru av 2 in sweet cherry and detection of protein contamination in foods.

(1) Background: Arteriosclerosis is associated with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. O-methylated catechins in &ldquo, Benifuuki&rdquo, green tea are expected to reduce cholesterol levels, although there is limited research regarding this topic, (2) Methods: This trial evaluated 159 healthy volunteers who were randomized to receive ice cream containing a high-dose of &ldquo, extract including 676 mg of catechins (group H), a low-dose of &ldquo, extract including 322 mg of catechins (group L), or no &ldquo, extract (group C). Each group consumed ice cream (with or without extract) daily for 12 weeks, and their lipid-related parameters were compared, (3) Results: A significant reduction in the level of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 ligand containing ApoB (LAB) was detected in group H, compared to groups L and C. No significant differences between the three groups were detected in their levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, (4) Conclusions: &ldquo, extract containing O-methylated catechins may help prevent arteriosclerosis.

The green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivar “Sunrouge” contains anthocyanins, catechins and flavonols. To determine whether ingesting green tea containing anthocyanins improves visual function and blood pressure (BP) in healthy adults, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed. A total of 120 healthy subjects, aged between 20 and 60 years and with a systolic BP (SBP) value of ≤125 and

In April 2015, Consumer Affairs Agency of Japan launched a new food labeling system known as “Foods with Function Claims (FFC).” Under this system, the food industry independently evaluates scientific evidence on foods and describes their functional properties. As of May 23, 2017, 1023 FFC containing 8 fresh foods have been launched. Meanwhile, to clarify the health-promoting effects of agricultural products, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) implemented the “Research Project on Development of Agricultural Products” and demonstrated the risk reduction of osteoporosis of β-cryptoxanthin rich Satsuma mandarins and the anti-allergic effect of the O-methylated catechin rich tea cultivar Benifuuki. These foods were subsequently released as FFC. Moreover, NARO elucidated the health-promoting effects of various functional agricultural products (β-glucan rich barley, β-conglycinin rich soybean, quercetin rich onion, etc.) and a healthy boxed lunch. This review focuses on new food labeling system or research examining functional aspects of agricultural products.

Sunrouge is an anthocyanin-rich, new tea cultivar that contains similar levels of catechins as Yabukita, the most popular tea cultivar consumed in Japan. Interestingly, Sunrouge preparations have previously been shown to have more pronounced acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and anticolitis activities than those of Yabukita. In this study, we examined their effects on expressions of self-defensive molecules, including heat shock proteins (HSPs), which are molecular chaperones involved in homeostasis and longevity. Hot water extract from freeze-dried Sunrouge significantly upregulated messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of HSP40, HSP70, and HSP32 (heme oxygenase-1), with grades greater than those shown by Yabukita. Oral administration of freeze-dried preparation of Sunrouge to male ICR mice at a dose of 1% in the basal diet for 1 month resulted in marked upregulations of several HSP mRNA expressions in mucosa from the gastrointestinal tract, especially the upper small intestine. Again, its efficacy was remarkably higher than that of Yabukita. Moreover, exposure of Caenorhabditis elegans to Sunrouge conferred thermoresistant phenotype, and also resulted in a significant life-span elongation. Taken together, our results suggest that Sunrouge is a unique and promising tea cultivar for regulating self-defense systems.

A novel O-methyltransferase gene was isolated from Flammulina velutipes. The isolated full-length cDNA was composed of a 690-nucleotide open reading frame encoding 230 amino acids. A database search revealed that the deduced amino acid sequence was similar to those of other O-methyltransferases; the highest identity was only 61.8% with Laccaria bicolor. The recombinant enzyme was expressed by Escherichia coli. BL21 (DE3) was assessed for its ability to methylate (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG). LC–TOF–MS and NMR revealed that the enzyme produced five kinds of O-methylated EGCGs: (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-O-methyl)gallate, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3,4-O-dimethyl)gallate, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-O-(3,5-O-dimethyl)gallate, and (−)-4′-O-methylepigallocatechin-3-O-(3,5-O-dimethyl)gallate. The substrate specificity of the enzyme for 20 kinds of polyphenols was assessed using the crude recombinant enzyme of O-methyltransferase. This enzyme introduced methyl group(s) into polyphenols with pyrocatechol and pyrogallol structures.

Protein NP24 is a thaumatin-like protein contained in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). This protein is reported to be a putative tomato allergen and is listed as a food allergen in Structural Database of Allergenic Proteins (SDAP). In this research, we developed the quantitative analysis of NP24 by employing the protein absolute quantification (AQUA) technology composed of stable isotope-labelled internal standard (SIIS) peptide (GQTWVINAPR[(13)C6,(15)N4]) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A linear relationship (r(2)>0.99) was found throughout the concentration range (2.0-500 fmol/μL). The coefficients of variation (CVs) measured on each of the five days when NP24 contained in the tomato skin was analysed did not exceed 13%. Our developed assay of NP24 will contribute to the allergological examination of tomato and its derived products.

Background: Stimulation with antigen and IgE is known to activate NF-κB in mast cells. In the present research, we studied the role of NF-κB on cellular migration in mast cell-like RBL-2H3 cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) using the NF-κB inhibitor (-)-DHMEQ. Methods: A Matrigel invasion chamber was used to evaluate cell migration. A PCR array was used to screen the expression of 84 key genes involved in cell migration. Results: (-)-DHMEQ inhibited antigen/IgE-induced NF-κB activation and expressions of its target genes such as IL-6 and TNF-α. (-)-DHMEQ was found to inhibit in vitro invasion toward the antigen without any toxicity. We then looked for NF-κB-dependent genes that would be important for mast cell invasion using the PCR array. (-)-DHMEQ was found to lower the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2. The MMP inhibitor GM6001 also inhibited cellular invasion toward the antigen. These effects of (-)-DHMEQ were obtained in both RBL-2H3 cells and BMMCs. Conclusions: These findings indicate that (-)-DHMEQ suppressed mast cell migration via the inhibition of NF-κB-regulated MMP-2 expression.

To examine the possible benefits of tea flavonols, we compared anti-atherogenic effects between common and flavonol-rich tea cultivars. The tea infusion made from a flavonol-rich cultivar, but not a common cultivar, significantly decreased the plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein level in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet. The result suggests that tea flavonols have the potential to protect against cardiovascular diseases.

Green tea and its major polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) have suppressive effect on dietary obesity. However, it remains unsolved what type of diet on which they exhibit high or low anti-obesity effect. In the present study, we investigated whether anti-obesity effect of green tea differs depending on composition of fats or fatty acids that consist high-fat (HF) diet in mouse model. Green tea extract (GTE) intake dramatically suppressed weight gain and fat accumulation induced by olive oil-based HF diet, whereas the effects on those induced by beef tallow-based HF diet were weak. GTE also effectively suppressed obesity induced by unsaturated fatty acid-enriched HF diet with the stronger effect compared with that induced by saturated fatty acid-enriched HF diet. These differences would be associated with the increasing action of GTE on expression of PPARδ signaling pathway-related genes in the white adipose tissue. Expressions of genes relating to EGCG signaling pathway that is critical for exhibition of physiological effects of EGCG were also associated with the different effects of GTE. Here, we show that anti-obesity effect of GTE differs depending on types of fats or fatty acids that consist HF diet and could be attenuated by saturated fatty acid.

Seven new O-methylated theaflavins (TFs) were synthesized by using O-methyltransferase from an edible mushroom. Using TFs and O-methylated TFs, metabolic stability in pooled human liver S9 fractions and inhibitory effect on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in human HepG2 cells were investigated. In O-methylation of theaflavin 3′-O-gallate (TF3′G), metabolic stability was potentiated by an increase in the number of introduced methyl groups. O-methylation of TF3,3′G did not affect metabolic stability, which was likely because of a remaining 3-O-galloyl group. The inhibitory effect on oxidative damage was assessed by measuring the viability of H2O2-damaged HepG2 cells treated with TFs and O-methylated TFs. TF3,3′G and O-methylated TFs increased cell viabilities significantly compared with DMSO, which was the compound vehicle (p

A known O-methylated theaflavin, theaflavin 3-O-(3-O-methyl)gallate (3MeTF3G), and the new theaflavin 3-O-(3,5-di-O-methyl)gallate (3,5diMeTF3G) were synthesized via the O-methylation of theaflavin 3-O-gallate (TF3G). Both 3MeTF3G and 3,5diMeTF3G are more stable than TF3G at pH 7.5 in the order 3,5diMeTF3G > 3MeTF3G > TF3G. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on the intracellular accumulation of triglycerides from terminally differentiated human visceral adipocytes were investigated. Compound 3MeTF3G exhibited an inhibitory effect similar to that of TF3G at 3 μM and a slightly lower effect than that of TF3G at 10 μM. The result suggested that the degradants and oxidatively polymerized products of TF3G may also have inhibitory effects. For cells treated with 3,5diMeTF3G at 3 and 10 μM, intracellular triglyceride accumulation was dose dependent and significantly lower compared with that for other compounds. It was suggested that the higher effect of 3,5diMeTF3G was due to its higher stability and likely improved absorption owing to di-O-methylation.

Many previous epidemiological studies have revealed that green tea or green tea catechins contributed to the preveintion of lifestyle-related diseases. Several cohort studies on the relationship between green tea consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk/type 2 diabetes mellitus risk have been conducted. The results showed that green tea consumption (5 or more cups/day) was inversely associated with mortality from CVD and all causes. Within CVD mortality, the strongest inverse association was observed for stroke mortality. Furthermore, consumption of green tea, coffee, and total caffeine was associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, the analysis of randomized clinical trial (RCT) studies showed that the administration of green tea beverages or extracts resulted in significant reductions in serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, but had no apparent effect on HDL-cholesterol. Green tea reduced fasting blood glucose levels in a small intervention trial, although no improvements in HbA1c levels were seen. Continuous intake of green tea containing catechins and caffeine (5 or more cups per day) may be beneficial for body weight management, vascular disease risk reduction via LDL-cholesterol improvement, and type 2 diabetes risk reduction through the lowering of fasting blood glucose levels. Epigallocatechin-3-O-(3-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG3"Me) isolated from cv. "Benifuuki" green tea has been shown to strongly inhibit mast cell activation and histamine release after FcepsilonRI cross-linking through the suppression of tyrosine phosphorylation (Lyn) of cellular protein kinase, and the suppression of myosin light chain phosphorylation and high-affinity IgE receptor expression via the binding to 67 kDa laminin receptors. A double-blind clinical study on subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis was carried out. At the eleventh week after starting intake, which was coincident with the most severe period of cedar pollen-scattering, symptoms such as nose blowing and eye itching were significantly relieved in the Benifuuki group compared with the placebo group. Six weeks of intake of Benifuuki green tea containing O-methylated catechins was useful for reducing some of the symptoms derived from Japanese cedar pollinosis, and did not affect any of the normal immune responses in the subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis. Based on an investigation into the effects of the cultivars, tea seasons of crops and manufacturing methods, it was concluded that green or semi-fermented tea made from fully-matured Benifuuki in the second crop season should be consumed.

Aims We previously reported that apple polyphenols (AP) and their major active components, procyanidins, had beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and diabetes in diabetic ob / ob mice. The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of chronic AP administration on glucose tolerance in high-normal and borderline human subjects. Methods Subjects ( n = 65) with a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level of 100–125 mg/dL determined during a recent health check-up were randomised to receive tablets containing AP (600 mg/day) or placebo tablets for 12 weeks in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The primary outcome was insulin resistance, assessed using a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Results The 12-week chronic administration of AP significantly reduced the increase in glucose at 30-min post-75 g OGTT (OGTT 30-min glucose ) value, compared to the placebo regimen. Furthermore, in a subgroup of the high-normal (FPG value, 100–109 mg/dL; 2-h post-75 g OGTT glucose (OGTT 2-h glucose ) value, 2-h glucose value, 2-h glucose value, 140–199 mg/dL) subjects, OGTT 30-min glucose value in the AP group (164.0 ± 7.4 mg/dL) was significantly lower than that of the placebo group (194.7 ± 10.4 mg/dL, p Conclusions Chronic AP administration significantly improved impaired glucose tolerance in high-normal and borderline subjects. Larger and/or longer-term scale human studies are required to confirm the potential glucose homeostasis of AP.

We conducted a systematic review of the literature for the ability of green tea epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Study subjects were limited to healthy individuals and randomized, controlled trials on human serum lipid levels, especially LDL-C, conducted. A total of 17 trials (n = 1356) met all of the inclusion criteria. According to weighted mean differences for changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI), 107–856 mg/d of EGCG for 4 to 14 weeks reduced LDL-C by −9.29 mg/dl (95% CI, −12.27 to −6.31). Sub-analysis was performed to compare the EGCG lowering effect on LDL-C between non-obese and obese subjects, EGCG dose, baseline of LDL-C levels, or BMI. We concluded that consumption of green tea EGCG resulted in a significant reduction of LDL-C at any baseline level and any dose between 107 and 856 mg/d, and the effect size was slightly dependent on the baseline lipid level of the subjects.

Delphinidin-3- O -galactoside (D3G) is a water-soluble anthocyanin with antioxidant activity. (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is also known as a powerful antioxidant but concomitantly possesses a prooxidative property. We hypothesized that D3G is capable of protecting the EGCG-induced cytotoxicity and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via inducing self-protective proteins and antioxidant enzymes. (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (200-500 μ M) dose dependently decreased the viability of hepa1c1c-7 mouse hepatocytes, whereas D3G (50-500 μ M) did not change it. Pretreatment with D3G significantly suppressed EGCG-induced cytotoxicity in a time-dependent manner (0, 6, and 24 hours). (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate drastically decreased heme oxygenase-1 and heat shock protein 70 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, whereas, pretreatment with D3G markedly attenuated their down-regulations. Delphinidin-3- O -galactoside remarkably decreased EGCG-induced ER stress responses such as C/EBP-homologus protein mRNA expression and X-box–binding protein-1 mRNA splicing. Taken together, our data suggest that D3G is capable of masking the EGCG-induced cytotoxicity and ER stress, presumably through up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes and heat shock proteins.