Effects of simultaneous intakes of fish oil and green tea extracts on plasma, glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and adiponectin and on liver lipid concentrations in mice fed low- and high-fat diets

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of a simultaneous intake of fish oil and green tea extracts (GTE) on plasma lipids, glucose (Glu), insulin, C-peptide, and adiponectin concentrations and on liver lipids in mice fed low- and high-fat diets.

METHODS

Male mice (5 months old) were fed low-fat (5%) or high-fat (20%) diets containing 0% (5 or 20% lard), 1% (4 or 19% lard) or 5% (0 or 15% lard) fish oil with or without 1% GTE for 3 months.

RESULTS

Single or combined intakes of fish oil and GTE intakes significantly lowered plasma and liver total cholesterol (T-chol) and triacylglycerol (TG) concentrations in mice on high-fat diets. However, a positive effect of GTE alone was not observed in the plasma T-chol and TG concentrations of mice on low-fat diets. Plasma Glu concentrations were significantly lowered by dietary fish oil in mice on the low- and high-fat diets. A tendency of GTE intake to decrease plasma Glu in mice on both the low- and high-fat diets was not significant. An intake of GTE only minimally influenced plasma insulin, C-peptide, and adiponectin concentrations, but fish oil supplementation increased the adiponectin concentration in mice on the low- and high-fat diets. GTE addition to the diets had no adverse effects on reductions by fish oil.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that a simultaneous intake of fish oil and GTE can improve plasma and liver lipid and plasma Glu profiles in mice fed a high-fat diet without any negative interactions of fish oil and GTE.

Levels of plasma insulin, leptin and adiponectin, and activities of key enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism in skeletal muscle and liver in fasted ICR mice fed dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms related to plasma glucose concentration in mice fed a diet rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). Male Crlj:CD-1 (ICR) mice were fed experimental diets containing 6% lard (LD), 6% fish oil (FO) or 4.1% lard plus 1.5% docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester and 0.4% eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (DE) for 12 weeks. There were no marked differences in plasma glucose and insulin concentration changes on glucose tolerance test between the three dietary groups. At the end of the feeding trial, plasma glucose concentration was significantly lower in fasted mice in the FO group than in those in the LD group (P<.005). Plasma adiponectin concentration was significantly higher in the FO group than in the LD group (P<.05). Hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activities in skeletal muscle tended to be lower in the FO group than in the LD group, while there were no differences in glucokinase and phosphofructokinase activities in liver between the three dietary groups. However, hepatic glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity was 53-fold and 4.2-fold higher in the FO group than in the LD and DE groups, respectively (P<.0005 and P<.05, respectively). These results suggest that the reduction in plasma glucose concentration in mice fed n-3 PUFAs is mainly caused by acceleration of glucose uptake and glycerol synthesis in the liver rather than in the skeletal muscle.

Effect of MDR1 C3435T polymorphism on cure rates of Helicobacter pylori infection by triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in relation to CYP 2C19 genotypes and 23S rRNA genotypes of H. pylori

BACKGROUND

Polymorphism in MDR1 is associated with variation in the plasma level of a proton pump inhibitor.

AIM

To investigate whether MDR1 polymorphism is associated with eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori by a triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in relation to CYP2C19 genotype status and bacterial susceptibility to clarithromycin.

METHODS

A total of 313 patients infected with H. pylori completed the treatment with lansoprazole 30 mg b.d., clarithromycin 200 mg b.d. and amoxicillin 750 mg b.d. for 1 week. MDR1 C3435T polymorphism and CYP2C19 genotypes of patients and sensitivity of H. pylori to clarithromycin were determined.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis revealed that the MDR1 polymorphism as well as CYP2C19 genotypes of patients and clarithromycin-resistance of H. pylori were significantly associated with successful eradication. Eradication rates for H. pylori were 82% (83/101: 95% CI = 73-89), 81% (112/139: CI = 73-87), and 67% (44/73: CI = 48-72) in patients with the MDR1 3435 C/C, C/T and T/T genotype, respectively (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Polymorphism of MDR1 is one of the determinants of successful eradication of H. pylori by the triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin, together with CYP2C19 genotype and bacterial susceptibility to clarithromycin.

Effect of MDR1 C3435T polymorphism on cure rates of Helicobacter pylori infection by triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in relation to CYP 2C19 genotypes and 23S rRNA genotypes of H. pylori

BACKGROUND

Polymorphism in MDR1 is associated with variation in the plasma level of a proton pump inhibitor.

AIM

To investigate whether MDR1 polymorphism is associated with eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori by a triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in relation to CYP2C19 genotype status and bacterial susceptibility to clarithromycin.

METHODS

A total of 313 patients infected with H. pylori completed the treatment with lansoprazole 30 mg b.d., clarithromycin 200 mg b.d. and amoxicillin 750 mg b.d. for 1 week. MDR1 C3435T polymorphism and CYP2C19 genotypes of patients and sensitivity of H. pylori to clarithromycin were determined.

RESULTS

Logistic regression analysis revealed that the MDR1 polymorphism as well as CYP2C19 genotypes of patients and clarithromycin-resistance of H. pylori were significantly associated with successful eradication. Eradication rates for H. pylori were 82% (83/101: 95% CI = 73-89), 81% (112/139: CI = 73-87), and 67% (44/73: CI = 48-72) in patients with the MDR1 3435 C/C, C/T and T/T genotype, respectively (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Polymorphism of MDR1 is one of the determinants of successful eradication of H. pylori by the triple therapy with lansoprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin, together with CYP2C19 genotype and bacterial susceptibility to clarithromycin.

Effect of Erabu Sea Snake (Laticauda semifasciata) Lipids on the Swimming Endurance of Mice

BACKGROUND/AIM

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Erabu sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata) lipids on the swimming endurance of mice.

METHOD

Twelve-week-old male Crlj: CD-1 (ICR) mice were fed one of three experimental diets containing 6% lard, fish oil or sea snake lipids for 16 weeks. Swimming exercise was conducted in an acrylic plastic tank filled with 25 cm of water maintained at 23 degrees C. Every 4 weeks, the mice were made to perform swimming exercises with loads attached to their tails, corresponding to approximately 1 or 2% of their body weights.

RESULTS

The group fed the sea snake lipid diet exhibited significantly improved swimming endurance compared with the lard diet group (p < 0.05); however, this result was not observed in the fish oil diet group. In the sea snake lipid diet group, plasma and muscle lactates were significantly lower, and plasma glucose and muscle glycogen were significantly higher than in the lard diet group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the intake of sea snake lipids enhanced the swimming endurance of the mice by delaying the accumulation of lactate during swimming exercise.

Neopterin is associated with plaque inflammation and destabilisation in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that recent activation of the inflammatory response in coronary atherosclerotic lesions contributes to rapid progressive plaque destabilisation. Neopterin, a by-product of the guanosine triphosphate pathway, is produced by activated macrophages and serves as an activation marker for monocytes/macrophages.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the role of neopterin in coronary plaque destabilisation by immunohistochemical study of the presence of neopterin in coronary atherectomy specimens obtained from patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients underwent atherectomy of the primary atherosclerotic lesions responsible for SAP (n = 25) and UAP (n = 25). Frozen samples were studied with antibodies against smooth muscle cells, macrophages, T cells, neutrophils and neopterin.

RESULTS

In 22/25 patients with UAP, abundant neopterin-positive macrophages were found at the sites of coronary culprit lesions. However, in 25 lesions from patients with SAP, only 11 lesions showed neopterin positivity. Quantitatively, the neopterin-positive macrophage score was significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with UAP than in patients with SAP. Moreover, the neopterin-positive macrophage score showed a significant positive correlation with the number of neutrophils or T cells, respectively (neutrophils, r = 0.55, p<0.001; T cells, r = 0.70, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Neopterin can be considered as one of the significant factors in the process of plaque inflammation and destabilisation in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Its exact role in the process needs to be investigated further.

Effect of lipids extracted from a salted herring roe food product on maze-behavior in mice

Male mice (11 mo old) were fed 5% lard, fish oil, or Kazunoko (salted fish roe product) lipids for 4 mo to investigate their effects on maze behavior. The time required and distance traveled to reach the maze exit, and number of times that a mouse strayed into blind alleys in the maze, and the fatty acid compositions of brain lipids after the maze-behavior experiment were measured. The Kazunoko lipid group showed a significant improvement in all three parameters compared with the lard diet group, but the fish oil group showed only a significant decrease in the number of times that a mouse strayed into blind alleys compared with the lard diet group. The mice in the fish oil and Kazunoko lipid groups had significantly lower levels of arachidonic acid and higher percentages of docosahexaenoic acid in brain lipids compared with animals in the lard group. The mice in the Kazunoko lipid group had significantly lower levels of arachidonic acid in brain lipids than those in the fish oil group but the percentages of docosahexaenoic acid were not significantly different between these two diet groups. Our results suggest that an intake of Kazunoko lipids may suppress the percentage of n-6 fatty acids in brain lipids and this diet can be even more effective than fish oil as a supplement to improve learning capacity in mice.

Pharmacogenomics-based tailored versus standard therapeutic regimen for eradication of H. pylori

Helicobacter pylori eradication rates by triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin at standard doses depend on bacterial susceptibility to clarithromycin and patient CYP2C19 genotypes. We examined the usefulness of a personalized therapy for H. pylori infection based on these factors as determined by genetic testing. First, optimal lansoprazole dosing schedules that would achieve sufficient acid inhibition to allow H. pylori eradication therapy in each of different CYP2C19 genotype groups were determined by a 24-h intragastric pH monitoring. Next, 300 H. pylori-positive patients were randomly assigned to the standard regimen group (lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily (b.i.d.)), clarithromycin 400 mg b.i.d., and amoxicillin 750 mg b.i.d. for 1 week) or the tailored regimen group based on CYP2C19 status and bacterial susceptibility to clarithromycin assessed by genetic testing. Patients with failure of eradication underwent the second-line regimen. The per-patient cost required for successful eradication was calculated for each of the groups. In the first-line therapy, the intention-to-treat eradication rate in the tailored regimen group was 96.0% (95% CI=91.5-98.2%, 144/150), significantly higher than that in the standard regimen group (70.0%: 95% CI=62.2-77.2%, 105/150) (P<0.001). Final costs per successful eradication in the tailored and standard regimen groups were $669 and $657, respectively. In conclusion, the pharmacogenomics-based tailored treatment for H. pylori infection allowed a higher eradication rate by the initial treatment without an increase of the final per-patient cost for successful eradication. However, the precise cost-effectiveness of this strategy remains to be determined.

Effect of Lipids from Erabu Sea Snake, Laticauda semifasciata, on Plasma Glucose, Insulin, and Adipocytokine Concentrations of Normal and Streptozotocin-Diabetic Mice

AIMS

To clarify the influence of Erabu sea snake lipid on levels of plasma insulin and adipocyte-derived hormones.

METHODS

Normal male mice (6 months) and streptozotocin-diabetic mice (a single administration, 150 mg/kg i.p.) were fed diets containing 10% fat as either lard or a mixture of 5% lard and 5% sea snake lipid for 4 months.

RESULTS

The normal mice on the sea snake lipid diet had a significantly lower plasma glucose concentration (198 +/- 16 mg/dl; 148 +/- 11 mg/dl) than those mice on the lard diet. Although plasma insulin concentrations were not influenced by the dietary fat type, leptin (10 +/- 1 ng/ml; 16 +/- 2 ng/ml) and adiponectin (18 +/- 1 mug/ml; 21 +/- 1 mug/ml) concentrations were significantly higher in the sea snake lipid group than in the lard group. However, these effects of a sea snake lipid intake were not evident in the streptozotocin-diabetic mice.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the decrease in plasma glucose following the intake of sea snake lipids could be related to a corresponding increase in leptin and adiponectin level.

Effects of dietary herring roe lipids on plasma lipid, glucose, insulin, and adiponectin concentrations in mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Kazunoko (salted herring roe) lipids, which contain large amounts of cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), on lipid and glucose metabolism in mice. Male Crlj:CD-1 (ICR) mice were fed one of four experimental diets which contained 6% lard, 1% Kazunoko lipids + 5% lard, 3% Kazunoko lipids + 3% lard, and 6% Kazunoko lipids for 12 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, phospholipid, and glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the 3% and 6% Kazunoko lipid diet groups than in lard and 1% Kazunoko lipid diet groups (p < 0.05). Plasma adiponectin concentrations of mice fed the 6% Kazunoko lipid diet were higher than those of animals fed the lard diet group. These results suggest that EPA and DHA rather than cholesterol in the Kazunoko lipids influence the plasma total cholesterol level. The constituent Kazunoko lipids may not only decrease the levels of plasma lipids but also decrease glucose concentrations by enhancing plasma adiponectin levels in mice.

Reduction in Plasma Glucose after Lipid Changes in Mice Fed Fish Oil, Docosahexaenoic Acid, and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Diets

BACKGROUND/AIM

Effects of the dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and fish oil on weekly changes in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and phospholipid concentrations of male Crlj:CD-1 mice were investigated.

METHOD

Animals were fed five different experimental diets which contained 6.0% lard (lard diet), 6.0% fish oil (fish oil diet), 1.5% DHA-ethyl ester+4.5% lard (DHA diet), 0.4% EPA-ethyl ester+5.6% lard (EPA diet), and 1.5% DHA-ethyl ester+0.4% EPA ethyl ester+4.1% lard (DHA+EPA diet) for 17 weeks. Glucose and lipid concentrations in plasma collected at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16 were measured.

RESULTS

Plasma phospholipid concentrations were significantly lower in mice fed the fish oil and DHA+EPA diets than in those fed the lard diet at week 2. Plasma total cholesterol and glucose concentrations were significantly lower in the fish oil diet group than in the lard diet group at weeks 6 and 8, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the decreases in plasma glucose concentrations in response to intakes of DHA and EPA in mice take place over a longer period of time than similar decreases in the plasma lipid concentrations.

Poor metabolizer genotype status of CYP2C19 is a risk factor for developing gastric cancer in Japanese patients with Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) polymorphism has been associated with the development of lung, liver or oesophageal cancer by detoxification of carcinogen(s) or activation of procarcinogen(s).

AIM

To clarify the association between CYP2C19 polymorphisms and gastric cancer development in Japanese. Methods : We determined CYP2C19 genotypes (CYP2C19*1, *2 and *3) in 111 Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with gastric cancer and 315 H. pylori-positive controls without gastric cancer consisting of patients with gastritis only or peptic ulcer. Frequencies of CYP2C19 genotypes and serum pepsinogen I and II levels, a biomarker of gastric atrophy, in the gastric cancers and controls were compared.

RESULTS

Frequencies of homozygous extensive metabolizers, heterozygous extensive metabolizers and poor metabolizers were 31.5%, 42.3% and 26.2% in the gastric cancers and 38.1%, 47.0% and 14.9% in the controls, respectively (P = 0.046). Poor metabolizers were associated with an increased risk for developing gastric cancer with the age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.975 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.068-3.649], especially for diffuse type (OR: 3.385, CI: 1.187-9.648). There is no significant association between CYP2C19 genotypes and serum pepsinogen I level or pepsinogen I/II ratios, although serum pepsinogen I level in gastric cancers were significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

In H. pylori-positive Japanese, poor metabolizers of CYP2C19 appear to be at an increased risk for developing gastric cancer, especially diffuse type, and may require an intensive follow-up for scrutinizing possible gastric cancer development.

Efficacy of gemtuzumab ozogamicin on ATRA- and arsenic-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells express a considerable level of CD33, which is a target of gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO), and a significantly lower level of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In this study, we examined whether GO was effective on all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)- or arsenic trioxide (ATO)-resistant APL cells. Cells used were an APL cell line in which P-gp was undetectable (NB4), ATRA-resistant NB4 (NB4/RA), NB4 and NB4/RA that had been transfected with MDR-1 cDNA (NB4/MDR and NB4/RA/MDR, respectively), ATO-resistant NB4 (NB4/As) and blast cells from eight patients with clinically ATRA-resistant APL including two patients with ATRA- and ATO-resistant APL. The efficacy of GO was analyzed by (3)H-thymidine incorporation, the dye exclusion test and cell cycle distribution. GO suppressed the growth of NB4, NB4/RA and NB4/As cells in a dose-dependent manner. GO increased the percentage of hypodiploid cells significantly in NB4, NB4/RA and NB4/As cells, and by a limited degree in NB4/MDR and NB4/RA/MDR cells. Similar results were obtained using blast cells from the patients with APL. GO is effective against ATRA- or ATO-resistant APL cells that do not express P-gp, and the mechanism of resistance to GO is not related to the mechanism of resistance to ATRA or ATO in APL cells. Leukemia (2005) 19, 1306-1311. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2403807; published online 26 May 2005.

Direct methylation from mouse plasma and from liver and brain homogenates

The analysis of fatty acid composition of plasma and tissue is important as a method for studying lipid nutrition. We investigated the possibility of direct methylation of fatty acids by BF(3)-methanol from plasma and from liver and brain homogenates without lipid extraction. There were no ghost peaks in the chromatogram produced by the direct methylation method. The 18:0 percentages were significantly higher in the direct methylation method than in the lipid extraction method. There were not remarkable differences in fatty acid composition in the direct methylation and methylation after lyophilization methods. Furthermore, the recovery ratio of the internal standard in the direct methylation method was higher than that in the lipid extraction method. The difference of fatty acid composition with lipid extraction may be caused by the change of lipid class extraction. Therefore, the direct methylation method without lipid extraction is the most suitable for determining fatty acid composition in plasma and tissue.

Effect of concomitant dosing of famotidine with lansoprazole on gastric acid secretion in relation to CYP2C19 genotype status

BACKGROUND

Famotidine increases Helicobacter pylori-eradication rates by a triple lansoprazole/amoxicillin/clarithromycin therapy in patients with the rapid extensive metabolizer genotype of CYP2C19.

AIM

To determine the effect of famotidine on the gastric acid inhibition by lansoprazole in relation to CYP2C19 genotypes.

METHODS

Twenty healthy volunteers with different CYP2C19 genotypes--consisting of six rapid extensive metabolizers, nine intermediate metabolizers and five poor metabolizers--underwent three 7-day courses with placebo, lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily, and lansoprazole 30 mg twice plus famotidine 20 mg twice daily. Lansoprazole was dosed after breakfast and dinner. Famotidine was dosed after lunch and at bedtime. Intragastric pH monitoring was performed for 24 h on day 7 of each course.

RESULTS

With placebo, no difference was observed in intragastric pH profiles among the three CYP2C19 genotype groups. With lansoprazole 30 mg twice daily, the median of 24-h intragastric pH in poor metabolizers (6.1) was significantly higher than those of rapid extensive metabolizers (4.5) and intermediate metabolizers (5.0), respectively (P = 0.0176 and 0.0388), whereas with lansoprazole 30 mg twice and famotidine 20 mg twice daily, the medians were 5.4, 5.7, and 6.1, respectively (not significant).

CONCLUSION

Acid inhibition by lansoprazole was influenced by CYP2C19 genotype status. This influence was offset by the concomitant use of famotidine.

Concomitant dosing of famotidine with a triple therapy increases the cure rates of Helicobacter pylori infections in patients with the homozygous extensive metabolizer genotype of CYP2C19

BACKGROUND

Proton-pump inhibitors, such as lansoprazole, are metabolized in the liver by CYP2C19 and cannot inhibit acid sufficiently in homozygous extensive metabolizers of CYP2C19.

AIM

To examine whether famotidine would increase the cure rates of Helicobacter pylori infection by a standard triple therapy.

METHODS

A total of 177 H. pylori-positive patients were randomly assigned to either lansoprazole 30 mg b.d., clarithromycin 200 mg b.d. and amoxicillin 750 mg b.d. for 1 week (LCA group; n = 89) or famotidine 20 mg b.d., lansoprazole 30 mg b.d., clarithromycin 200 mg b.d. and amoxicillin 750 mg b.d. for 1 week (FLCA group; n = 88). Famotidine was administered after lunch and before sleep, and the others were after breakfast and dinner. CYP2C19 genotypes were determined by a polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.

RESULTS

In the LCA group, the eradication rates for homozygous extensive metabolizers, heterozygous extensive metabolizers, and poor metabolizers were 63%, 87%, and 100%, respectively (P = 0.014). Those in the FLCA group were 85%, 85%, and 100%, respectively (N.S.). The cure rate for homozygous extensive metabolizers in the FLCA group was significantly higher than that in the LCA group (P = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Famotidine improves the cure rate of H. pylori infection by a triple therapy in CYP2C19 homozygous extensive metabolizers patients.

Acute improvement of atrial mechanical stunning after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation: comparison between biatrial and single atrial pacing

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the acute effects of atrial pacing at different pacing sites on mechanical stunning after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF).

SETTING

Tertiary referral centre.

PATIENTS

20 patients with persistent AF were studied.

INTERVENTIONS

Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAEV), and left atrial appendage emptying fraction (LAAEF) were assessed by transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) during AF, after conversion to sinus rhythm, and during atrial pacing from the right atrial appendage, left lateral atrium, and both atria simultaneously. Transmitral inflow velocity of the atrial wave (TMIF-A) by TOE and the maximum P wave duration in 12 lead ECG were also measured during sinus rhythm and atrial pacing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of atrial mechanical function and P wave duration in 12 lead ECG during atrial pacing from different sites after cardioversion of AF.

RESULTS

Compared with sinus rhythm, atrial pacing at 80 beats/min increased LAAEV from mean (SD) 14.6 (10.1) to 33.4 (19.8) cm/s (p = 0.001), LAAEF from 13.8 (8.5) to 32.1 (11.2)% (p < 0.001), and TMIF-A from 24.6 (11.9) to 45.6 (21.0) cm/s (p < 0.001) and reduced SEC grade from 2.6 (1.0) to 1.6 (0.9) (p < 0.001). These effects had a positive force-frequency relation. Biatrial pacing produced the shortest P wave duration and resulted in the most significant improvement in atrial function (LAAEV, 33.2 (19.3) v 53.7 (23.9) cm/s, p = 0.0001; LAAEF, 31.9 (11.1) v 46.2 (12.6)%, p < 0.0001; TMIF-A, 37.7 (18.3) v 54.1 (21.2) cm/s, p < 0.001; SEC grade, 1.4 (1.1) v 0.8 (0.9), p = 0.001, right atrial appendage versus biatrial pacing).

CONCLUSIONS

Atrial pacing at increased rates can improve atrial mechanical function after cardioversion of persistent AF. Biatrial pacing may be the most effective technique to reverse atrial mechanical stunning.

Effects of Western, Vegetarian, and Japanese Dietary Fat Model Diets with or without Green Tea Extract on the Plasma Lipids and Glucose, and Liver Lipids in Mice

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of three model diets containing different fats, with or without a small amount of green tea extract (GTE), on plasma lipids and glucose, and liver lipids in mice.

METHODS

Male mice (2 months old) fed 10% fat diets with Western (W), Vegetarian (V), and Japanese (J) fat compositions with or without 0.03% GTE for 7 months.

RESULTS

The concentrations of plasma and liver total cholesterol in animals fed the W diet were not significantly different from those fed the J diet. Plasma triacylglycerol (TG) concentrations were significantly different from one another in the following order: V > J > W diet groups. GTE supplementation significantly reduced plasma and liver TG content only in V diet group. Plasma glucose (Glu) concentrations were in the following order: W > V > J diet groups, and the GTE supplementation reduced the concentration of Glu in each diet group. The ratios of plasma n-6 to n-3 fatty acids were in the following order: V > W > J diet groups, regardless of GTE supplementation.

CONCLUSION

These findings show the possibility that Japanese eating habits combined with drinking green tea might be a factor in preventing the onset of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid and catechins on maze behavior in mice

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6 n-3) and catechins are food components that play an important role in maintaining human health. However, the effect of a simultaneous intake of DHA and catechins on brain function is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of DHA and catechins on maze behavior in mice.

METHOD

Adult (5 months old) and old (15 months old) male mice were fed 5% lard diets containing 0 or 1.5% DHA ethyl ester (DHA-EE), either with or without 0.5% catechins, for 3.5 months. Maze behavior was assessed 3 months after the start of the feeding experiment. The time required and distance traveled to reach the maze exit, and the number of times that a mouse strayed into blind alleys in the maze were measured. The fatty acid compositions of plasma and brain lipids were measured after the maze behavior experiment.

RESULTS

Adult mice in the catechin, DHA-EE, and DHA-EE + catechin diet groups required less time and traveled a shorter distance to reach the maze exit, and strayed into blind alleys fewer times than those in the corresponding lard groups. Among old mice, the DHA-EE + catechin diet group showed an improvement in maze behavior. No marked differences in the brain fatty acid composition between lard and catechin diet groups were observed; in the DHA-EE intake groups, the brain DHA percentage was raised.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that a simultaneous intake of DHA and catechins may certainly enhance brain function in both adult and old mice.

Differential expression of cornified cell envelope precursors in normal skin, intraorally transplanted skin and normal oral mucosa

BACKGROUND

Skin flaps have routinely been used as substitutes for oral mucosa after extensive resection of oral tissues. However, it remains unknown how the transplanted skin flaps perform as a host defence in the new environment of the oral cavity.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the expression of cornified cell envelope (CCE) precursors in pretransplanted (normal) skin, intraorally transplanted skin and normal oral mucosa, because CCEs are highly responsible for a protective barrier in each type of epithelium.

METHODS

We used immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy to examine the expression of CCE precursors, small proline-rich protein (SPR) 2 and 3 and loricrin, in biopsy specimens of normal skin, transplanted skin and normal oral mucosa, including buccal and lingual (non-keratinized) mucosae, and palatal (keratinized) mucosa.

RESULTS

Transplanted skin flaps were classified into two groups. About two-thirds of the transplanted skin flaps displayed a reddish appearance and were devoid of the stratum corneum (SC) together with a psoriasiform inflammatory tissue reaction. Others showed a native appearance, retaining the SC. While SPR2 expression was limited to the stratum granulosum (SG) in both normal and transplanted skin retaining the SC, it extended to the stratum spinosum (SS) of the transplanted skin lacking the SC and that of the normal oral mucosa. Although SPR3 expression was not found in normal skin or in the transplanted skin retaining the SC, it was strongly expressed in the SS of the transplanted skin lacking the SC and the non-keratinized oral mucosa, and in the SS and SG of the keratinized oral mucosa. Loricrin, which was expressed in the SG of normal skin, the transplanted skin retaining the SC and the keratinized oral mucosa, was not detected in the transplanted skin lacking the SC or in the non-keratinized oral mucosa. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the ultrastructural localization of SPR3 directly under the cytoplasmic membrane of keratinocytes of the transplanted skin lacking the SC and that of the oral mucosa.

CONCLUSIONS

The altered expression of SPR2, SPR3 and loricrin reflects the possible adaptation of epidermal keratinocytes in the new environment of the oral cavity.