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ABSTRACT: SCOPE: Feeding a diet supplemented with 10% (w/w) black and brown rice brans inhibited growth of transplanted tumors in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Black and brown rice brans from Oryza sativa LK1-3-6-12-1 and Chuchung cultivars each contained 21 compounds characterized by GC/MS. Mice fed diets with added rice brans for 2 weeks were intracutaneously inoculated with CT-26 mouse cancer cells and fed the same diet for two additional weeks. Tumor mass was 35 and 19% lower in the black and brown bran-fed groups, respectively. Tumor inhibition was associated with increases in cytolytic activity of splenic natural killer (NK) cells; partial restoration of nitric oxide production and phagocytosis in peritoneal macrophages; increases in released tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from macrophages; increases in infiltration of leukocyte into the tumor; and reduction in angiogenesis inside the tumor. Proangiogenic biomarkers vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) were also reduced in mRNA and protein expression. ELISA of tumor cells confirmed reduced expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX. Reduced COX-2 and 5-LOX expression downregulated vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibited neoangiogenesis inside the tumors. CONCLUSION: Induction of NK activity and macrophages and inhibition of angiogenesis seem to contribute to tumor regression.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 12/2012; · 4.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: GC-MS analysis of a hot water extract of Herba Pogostemonis (HP) revealed the presence of 131 compounds. HP slightly inhibited Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria in culture and stimulated uptake of the bacteria into RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells as indicated by both increased fluorescence from internalized FITC-dextran and increased colony-forming unit (CFU) counts of the lysed macrophages. Postinfection, the HP-treated cells showed lower bacterial counts than the control. HP elicited altered morphology, elevated inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in macrophage cells. Salmonella induced increased expression of iNOS mRNA, cognate polypeptides, and NO. Histology of mice infected with a sublethal dose (1 × 10(4) CFU) of Salmonella showed that intraperitoneally administered HP protected against necrosis of the liver, a biomarker of in vivo salmonellosis. The lifespan of mice infected with a lethal dose (1 × 10(5) CFU) was significantly extended. These results suggest that the activity of HP against bacterial infection in mice occurs through the activation of innate immune macrophage cells. The relationship of composition of HP to bioactivity is discussed.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 11/2012; · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to determine the protective effect of a liquid rice hull smoke extract (RHSE) against type 2 diabetes (T2D) in mice induced by a high-fat diet. As compared to the control group of mice on a high-fat diet (HFD), feeding the HFD supplemented with 0.5% or 1% RHSE for 7 weeks resulted in significantly reduced blood glucose and triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations, higher serum insulin levels, and improved glucose tolerance, as assessed by an oral glucose tolerance assay. The hypoglycemic effect of RHSE was accompanied by changes in enzyme activities and cognate gene expression assessed using RT-PCR. Among the glucose metabolism regulating genes evaluated, hepatic glucokinase (GCK), the glucose transporters GLUT2 and GLUT4, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) were up-regulated, whereas glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) were down-regulated in the liver of mice with RHSE-supplementation. These changes resulted in restoration of glucose-regulating activities to normal control levels. Histopathology showed that a high-fat diet intake also induced liver necrosis and damage of the islet of Langerhans in the pancreas, whereas RHSE supplementation restored necrotic damage to normal levels. Immunohistochemistry showed that RHSE supplementation can restore the reduced insulin-producing β-cell population in islet of Langerhans associated with a high-fat diet intake to nondiabetic normal control levels in a dose-dependent manner. RHSE-supplemented food could protect insulin-producing islet cells against damage triggered by oxidative stress and local inflammation associated with diabetes.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 07/2012; · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the effects of rice bran and components on tumor growth in mice.
Mice fed standard diets supplemented with rice bran, γ-oryzanol, Ricetrienol®, ferulic acid, or phytic acid for 2 weeks were inoculated with CT-26 colon cancer cells and fed the same diet for two additional weeks. Tumor mass was significantly lower in the γ-oryzanol and less so in the phytic acid group. Tumor inhibition was associated with the following biomarkers: increases in cytolytic activity of splenic natural killer (NK) cells; partial restoration of nitric oxide production and phagocytosis in peritoneal macrophages increases in released the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from macrophages; and reductions in the number of blood vessels inside the tumor. Pro-angiogenic biomarkers vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase-5 (5-LOX) were also significantly reduced in mRNA and protein expression by tumor genes. ELISA of tumor cells confirmed reduced expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX up to 30%. Reduced COX-2 and 5-LOX expression downregulated VEGF and inhibited neoangiogenesis inside the tumors.
Induction of NK activity, activation of macrophages, and inhibition of angiogenesis seem to contribute to the inhibitory mechanism of tumor regression by γ-oryzanol.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 06/2012; 56(6):935-44. · 4.30 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present study investigated the antibacterial effect of four extracts from the fruitbody of the edible medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus (hot water extract, HWE; microwave/50% ethanol extract, MWE; acid extract, ACE; and alkaline extract, AKE) against murine salmonellosis. The extracts had no effect on Salmonella ser. Typhimurium growth in culture. Nor were the extracts toxic to murine macrophage cells, RAW 264.7. HWE and MWE stimulated uptake of the bacteria into the macrophage cells as indicated by increased colony-forming unit (CFU) counts of the contents of the lysed macrophages infected with Salmonella Typhimurium for 30 and 60 min. Two hours postinfection, the bacterial counts increased in the macrophages, but 4 and 8 h postinfection the HWE- and MWE-treated cells showed greater activity against the bacteria than the control. HWE- and MWE-treated noninfected macrophages had altered morphology and elevated inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression. In the presence of S. Typhimurium, iNOS mRNA expression was further increased, accompanied by an increase in NO production. Histology assays of the livers of mice infected with a sublethal dose (1 × 10(4) CFU) of S. Typhimurium showed that HWE and MWE, administered by daily intraperitoneal injection, protected against necrosis of the liver, a biomarker of in vivo salmonellosis. The lifespans of mice similarly infected with a lethal dose of S. Typhimurium (1 × 10(5) CFU) were significantly extended by HWE and MWE. β-Glucan, known to stimulate the immune system, was previously found to be present in high amounts in the active extracts. These results suggest that the mushroom extract activities against bacterial infection in mice occur through the activation of innate immune cells.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 05/2012; 60(22):5590-6. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A previously characterized rice hull smoke extract (RHSE) was tested for bactericidal activity against Salmonella Typhimurium using the disc-diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of RHSE was 0.822% (v/v). The in vivo antibacterial activity of RHSE (1.0%, v/v) was also examined in a Salmonella-infected Balb/c mouse model. Mice infected with a sublethal dose of the pathogens were administered intraperitoneally a 1.0% solution of RHSE at four 12-h intervals during the 48-h experimental period. The results showed that RHSE inhibited bacterial growth by 59.4%, 51.4%, 39.6%, and 28.3% compared to 78.7%, 64.6%, 59.2%, and 43.2% inhibition with the medicinal antibiotic vancomycin (20 mg/mL). By contrast, 4 consecutive administrations at 12-h intervals elicited the most effective antibacterial effect of 75.0% and 85.5% growth reduction of the bacteria by RHSE and vancomycin, respectively. The combination of RHSE and vancomycin acted synergistically against the pathogen. The inclusion of RHSE (1.0% v/w) as part of a standard mouse diet fed for 2 wk decreased mortality of 10 mice infected with lethal doses of the Salmonella. Photomicrographs of histological changes in liver tissues show that RHSE also protected the liver against Salmonella-induced pathological necrosis lesions. These beneficial results suggest that the RHSE has the potential to complement wood-derived smokes as antimicrobial flavor formulations for application to human foods and animal feeds. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The new antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory rice hull derived liquid smoke has the potential to complement widely used wood-derived liquid smokes as an antimicrobial flavor and health-promoting formulation for application to foods.
Journal of Food Science 12/2011; 77(1):M80-5. · 1.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study investigated the protective effect of a liquid rice hull smoke extract (RHSE) against diabetes in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Antidiabetic effects of RHSE were evaluated in both the rat insulinoma-1 cell line (INS-1) and diabetic ICR mice induced by intraperitoneal (ip) injection of alloxan. Alloxan treatment (10 mM) increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the INS-1 cells, which were inversely related to cell viabilities. RHSE inhibited alloxan-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation through inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and suppressed the inflammatory reaction in INS-1 cells through inhibition of expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Dietary administration of 0.5 or 1% RHSE to alloxan-induced diabetic mice caused a decrease in blood glucose and increases in both serum insulin and hepatic glycogen levels. RHSE induced decreases in glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) levels and an increase in the glucokinase (GCK) level. These changes resulted in restoring glucose-regulating enzyme levels to control values. Histopathology showed that alloxan also induced damage of Langerhans islet cells of the pancreas and liver necrosis associated with diabetes. Oral administration of RHSE restored the islet and liver cells to normal levels. RHSE-supplemented functional food could protect insulin-producing islet cells against damage triggered by oxidative stress and local inflammation associated with diabetes.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 11/2011; 60(1):87-94. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Physicochemical properties of black rice (Dragon eyeball 100, Heukjinjubyeo, Heukgwangbyeo, Heuknambyeo, and Josaengheukchal) and white rice (Hwayoungbyeo) varieties were investigated. Morphological properties slightly differ among the rice samples analyzed. Black rice varieties showed a higher amount of minerals, faster hydrolysis rate, and lower blue value than the ordinary white rice. High amino acid and sugar contents were found in Heuknambyeo and Heukgwangbyeo varieties, respectively. Lower oleic acid, but higher linoleic acid, was observed in Dragon eyeball 100 and Heukjinjubyeo compared with the other samples. Likewise, the pasting and viscosity values were generally higher in Heuknambyeo and Heukgwangbyeo, while lowest in Josaengheukchal. No substantial difference in X-ray diffraction pattern was observed among the samples. This study illustrates the wide variation in the physicochemical properties of the black rice varieties analyzed. The results could serve as baseline information for food processors in evaluating the quality of black rice suitable for specialty food processing.
International Journal of Food Properties 11/2011; 14(6):1241-1254. · 0.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated antitumor effects of the following four extracts of freeze-dried Hericium erinaceus mushrooms in Balb/c mice intracutaneously transplanted on the backs with CT-26 colon cancer cells: HWE, hot water extraction by boiling in water for 3 h; MWE, microwaving in 50% ethanol/water at 60 W for 3 min; and ACE and AKE, boiling in 1% HCl or 3% NaOH for 2 h. HWE and MWE with a higher content of β-glucans, determined by an assay kit, than ACE and MKE were active in all bioassays. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses showed the presence of 40, 27, 16, and 13 compounds, respectively, in the four extracts. Daily intraperitoneal (ip) injections of HWE and MWE for 2 weeks significantly reduced tumor weights by 38 and 41%. Tumor regressions were associated with changes in the following cancer biomarkers as compared to phosphate buffer (PBS)-treated control mice: 2.7- and 2.4-fold increases in cytolytic activity of splenic natural killer (NK) cells; restored nitric oxide production and phagocytosis in peritoneal macrophages to 95-98% of normal levels; ∼2-fold increase in released pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 from macrophages; and ∼56 and ∼60% reductions in the number of blood vessels inside the tumor. The pro-angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) were also significantly reduced in mRNA and protein expression by tumor genes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of tumor cells confirmed reduced expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX (32 and 31%). Reduced COX-2 and 5-LOX expression down-regulated VEGF expression, resulting in inhibition of neo-angiogenesis inside the tumors. The results indicate that induction of NK activity, activation of macrophages, and inhibition of angiogenesis all contribute to the mechanism of reduction of tumor size.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 08/2011; 59(18):9861-9. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Phytochemicals in some foods are a potential source of bioactive safe compounds for cancer chemoprevention and suppression of tumor initiation, promotion, and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluated hot water (HWE), microwaved 50% ethanol (MWE), acidic (ACE), and alkaline (AKE) extracts of the fruitbody (sporocarp) of Hericium erinaceus (Yamabushitake, Lion's Mane) mushrooms for their ability to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in U937 human monocytic leukemia cells. Cell culture, cell viability, cytotoxicity, flow cytometry, chromosomal DNA integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins, and activation and inhibition of caspase assays were carried out to help define the mechanism of observed apoptosis. The aqueous and aqueous/ethanolic extracts were active in all assays, whereas the acidic and alkaline extracts with the similar proximate compositions were both inactive. The results of the bioassays with the active extracts are consistent with an apoptosis mechanism governing suppression of the cell proliferation pathway that involves activation of mitochondria-mediated caspase-3 and caspase-9 but not caspase-8. Proximate analysis of the freeze-dried mushroom powder showed that it contains high amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, and minerals. The results indicate that H. erinaceus mushrooms may have therapeutic potential against human leukemia.
Food & function. 06/2011; 2(6):348-56.
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ABSTRACT: A new liquid rice hull smoke extract with a smoky aroma and sugar-like odor prepared by pyrolysis of rice hulls followed by liquefaction of the resulting smoke contained 161 compounds characterized by GC/MS. Antioxidative, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract were assessed in vitro and in vivo. At pH 5, the extract inhibited 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and suppressed nitric oxide (NO) and β-hexosaminidase releases from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 mouse macrophage leukemia cells and ionophore A23187-stimulated RBL-2H3 rat basophilic cells without significant cytotoxicity. 12-O-Tetradecanolylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was applied to the ears of CD-1 mice to induce inflammation (edema), which was accompanied by increases in a series of biomarkers. Topical application of 1% of the extract as well as feeding mice a standard diet with 1% extract for two weeks significantly reduced the expression of biomarkers associated with the TPA-induced inflammation. These include tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-1β, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), myeloperoxidase (MPO). These in vitro and in vivo findings demonstrate the potential value of rice hull smoke extract derived from a major agricultural byproduct to serve as a new biomaterial for the improvement of food quality and safety and the environment.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 03/2011; 59(9):4570-81. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the inhibitory effects of black rice (cv. LK1-3-6-12-1-1) bran against 12-O-tetradecanolylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced skin edema and 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in inflammatory mouse models. We also determined the effects of the bran extract on the following biomarkers: pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), eicosanoids leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Topical application of TPA to ears of CD-1 mice induced inflammation accompanied with substantial increase in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, LTB4, and PGE2 levels and an elevation in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene expressions in ear skin tissues. Intraperitoneal injection of black rice bran extract prior to TPA application in mice significantly suppressed TPA-induced inflammation (edema) and induced a marked decrease in the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and LTB4. Feeding mice a standard diet with added 10% black rice bran also significantly suppressed DNFB-induced allergic contact dermatitis on the skin of the mice. By contrast, a nonpigmented brown rice bran extract did not inhibit the TPA-induced edema and failed to significantly suppress production of pro-inflammatory biomarkers (mediators). These in vivo findings further demonstrate the potential value of black rice bran as an anti-inflammatory and antiallergic food ingredient and possibly also as a therapeutic agent for the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with chronic inflammation.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 09/2010; 58(18):10007-15. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The comparative effects of oryzanol and ferulic acid on the lipid metabolism and antioxidative status of high fat-fed mice were investigated. The mice were given a diet containing 17% fat (HF), supplemented with oryzanol (HF-O) or ferulic acid for 7 weeks. The control mice (NC) were fed with normal diet. The HF mice exhibited increased body weight gain, plasma and hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, and lipid peroxidation rate, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. In general, they also showed lower hepatic antioxidant and higher lipid-regulating enzymes activities relative to that of NC group. Addition of oryzanol or ferulic acid in the diet counteracted these high fat-induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress via increased faecal lipid excretion and regulation of antioxidant and lipogenic enzymes activities. This study illustrates that oryzanol and ferulic acid have relatively similar hypolipidemic actions and could be effective in lowering the risk of high fat diet-induced obesity.
Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 03/2010; 46(2):150-6. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The health-promoting potential of 70% ethanolic extracts of 4 rice varieties fermented with Monascus ruber, Phellinus linteus, Cordyceps sinensis and Agaricus blazei was evaluated mainly focusing on their antioxidative and antimutagenic capacities based on the following parameters: phenolic compound and phytic acid content; inhibitory activity on lipid peroxidation; scavenging activity on DPPH radical; suppressing ability on mitomycin C-induced mutagenesis in E. coli cells; and protective effect on 4-nitroquinoline oxide-triggered DNA lesion in V79 hamster cells. The fermented rice extracts were superior in overall health-promoting parameters compared to the source material. The higher antimutagenic activity of the fermented rice extracts might be in part caused by a larger amount of antioxidant constituents such as phenolic compounds or phytic acid. Of the fungal species, Monascus ruber was found to impart a marked increase in both the antioxidative and antimutagenic abilities to the source material. The current study suggests a possibility that such fermented rice may contribute to the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as cancer through a daily intake of rice-based diets.
Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 10/2008; 43(2):118-25. · 1.98 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We investigated the effect of solid-state fermented rice cultured with Basidiomycota (sangwhang) and Monascus ruber on lipid metabolism and antioxidant activity. Forty 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high cholesterol diets in which carbohydrate sources in the treatment groups consisted of non-fermented rice and sangwhang or M. ruber rice at 80% and 20%, respectively, for 5 weeks. Supplementation with sangwhang and M. ruber rice had no effect on growth and food intakes in high-cholesterol-fed rats. The plasma triglyceride concentration was not significantly different among the groups. Supplementation with M. ruber rice resulted in lower plasma and hepatic cholesterol concentrations and atherogenic index compared to the control group, while the plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentration was elevated. In addition, fermented rice cultured with M. ruber-supplemented animals had greater bile acid excretion. The M. ruber groups had significantly lower plasma and hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances than the control group. Moreover, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase and superoxide dismutase, were significantly higher in the M. ruber group. In conclusion, fermented rice, especially M. ruber rice, was very effective for improving the lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress by up-regulating the hepatic antioxidant enzymes in high-cholesterol-fed rats.
Journal of Medicinal Food 01/2008; 10(4):608-14. · 1.41 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Using a panel of chemical, biochemical, and cell assays, we determined inhibitory effects of extracts of the pigmented black rice brans on in vitro allergic reactions. Ethanol-water (70% v/v) extracts from 5 pigmented brans were found to be more effective than an extract from a nonpigmented rice cultivar in suppressing the release of histamine and beta-hexosaminidase from basophilic RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with both Ionophore A23187 and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-antigen complexes. Suppression was also obtained with A23187-stimulated rat peritoneal mast cells. The extent of inhibition of these 2 markers of the immune response was accompanied by an influx of calcium ions. The inhibition of the immune process by the pigmented brans was confirmed by the observed modulation of the proinflammatory cytokine gene expressions and cytokine release, as indicated by the reduction in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-4, and IL-6 mRNA expressions determined with the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Reduction of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 protein release from both the cultured cell line and peritoneal cells was further confirmed by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assays. Rice bran from the LK1-3-6-12-1-1 cultivar was the most effective inhibitor in all assays. This particular rice variety merits further evaluation as part of a human diet to ascertain its potential to protect against allergic diseases such as hay fever and asthma.
Journal of Food Science 12/2007; 72(9):S719-26. · 1.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Our previous study has demonstrated that there is a significant delay of Balb/c cardiac allograft rejection in the C57BL/6 4-1BB-deficient knockout recipient. In this study, we examined the effect of combined blockade of the 4-1BB and CD28 costimulatory pathways on cardiac allograft rejection in the C57BL/6-->Balb/c model. A long-term cardiac allograft survival was induced in CD28/4-1BB- deficient mice (>100 days survival in 3 of 4 mice), which was comparable with CD28-deficient mice (>100 days survival in 2 of 5 mice; P<0.2026). There was no long-term cardiac allograft survival in either wild-type (WT) or 4-1BB-deficient mice, even though 4-1BB-deficient recipients showed a significant delay of cardiac allograft rejection than WT mice. An in vitro mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) assay showed that 4-1BB-deficient and WT mouse T cells had a similar responsiveness to allostimulation, whereas CD28- and CD28/4-1BB-deficient mouse T cells had a defective responsiveness to allostimulation. Furthermore, 4-1BB-deficient mice showed a similar CTL but an elevated Ab response against alloantigens as compared to WT mice, and the alloimmune responses of 4-1BB-deficient mice were abrogated in the CD28-deficient background. Overall, these results indicate that the CD28 costimulatory pathway plays a major role in the alloimmune response and that 4-1BB signals are dependent upon CD28 signals.
Experimental and Molecular Medicine 01/2007; 38(6):606-15. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the current study is to investigate the influence of germinated giant embryonic rice consumption on the lipid metabolism and antioxidant system in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet.
Four groups of rats were given a diet containing 1 g cholesterol/kg for 5 weeks. The control group only received a high-cholesterol diet, while the other 3 experimental groups received each of the diets made of germinated giant embryonic rice, giant embryonic rice, or conventional brown rice (hereafter referred to as GGE-D, GE-D, and BR-D, respectively). Plasma and hepatic lipid profiles were measured, and the antioxidant status of liver was examined.
The plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in rats fed GGE-D compared with the source material (GE-D) or BR-D, while there were no differences in the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations between the groups. Consequently, the atherogenic indices of the GGE-D and GE-D groups were significantly lower than for the other groups. The plasma and hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels were higher in rats in the order of those fed BR-D > GE-D > GGE-D. While superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly activated in rats fed both GGE-D and GE-D, glutathione peroxidase was significantly and most effectively activated in those fed GGE-D.
The current results indicate that consumption of germinated giant embryonic rice is effective in lowering atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease risk.
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 01/2007; 51(6):519-26. · 2.26 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ethanol-water (70:30 v/v) extracts from rice brans removed from seeds of two blackish-purple pigmented (Sanhaehyanghyulla and Suwon 415) and one nonpigmented (Chuchung) brown rice cultivars were evaluated for antioxidative, anti-tumor-promoting, and anticarcinogenic activities in chemical assays and in mammalian cells (human leukemia HL-60, marmoset B lymphoblastoid B95-8, and Chinese hamster V79 lung cells) by the following tests: inhibition of xanthine oxidase activity; chelation of ferrous ions; reduction of potassium ferricyanide; scavenging of superoxide anions, hydroxyl radicals, and intracellular peroxides; inhibition of 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide-induced mutagenesis; and inhibition of phorbol ester-induced tumor promotion. The extracts from the pigmented rice seeds had generally higher activities in all tests than did the extract from the nonpigmented variety. The results suggest that brans from pigmented rice varieties may provide a source of new natural antioxidants and anticarcinogens and that such rice cultivars with high antioxidative potential also provide a genetic resource for the development of new, improved rice cultivars that may make it possible to enhance both the nutritional and medical value of rice-based diets.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 03/2005; 53(3):816-22. · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: 4-1BB, a transmembrane molecule, member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is an important costimulatory molecule in the immune response, plays a key role in the clonal expansion and survival of CD8(+) T cells. In this study, we investigated 4-1BB regulation of CD4(+) T cell responses using 4-1BB transgenic (TG) mice that constitutively expressed 4-1BB on mature T cells. We first showed that CD4(+) T cells of 4-1BB TG mice had more sustained proliferative capacity in response to TCR/4-1BB stimulation in vitro compared to WT mice. Secondly, 4-1BB TG mice exhibited a more elevated contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response mediated by CD4+ Th1 cells due to more vigorous expansion of and apoptotic inhibition of CD4(+) T cells. Finally, CD4(+) T cells of 4-1BB TG mice had a heightened capacity for T cell priming. Overall, our results demonstrate the involvement of 4-1BB in CD4(+) Th1 cell responses by regulating the clonal expansion and survival of CD4(+) T cells as seen in CD8(+) T cells.
Experimental and Molecular Medicine 01/2004; 35(6):509-17. · 2.48 Impact Factor
