Hui-Chen Lo

Publications of Hui-Chen Lo

• Appropriate Dose of Parenteral Arginine Enhances Immunity of Peripheral Blood Cells and Splenocytes in Rats With Subacute Peritonitis.

  Authors: Ya-Hui Chen, Chien-Hsing Lee, Li-Sung Hsu, Chien-Chou Hsia, Hui-Chen Lo

  JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition. 01/2012;

  BACKGROUND: Arginine deficiency and chronic inflammation may cause immune dysfunction. The authors previously showed that a pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine facilitates ornithine ratherBACKGROUND: Arginine deficiency and chronic inflammation may cause immune dysfunction. The authors previously showed that a pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine facilitates ornithine rather than nitric oxide production in subacute peritonitis. Herein, they investigated the effects of different doses of parenteral arginine supplementation on immunocytic subpopulation distribution and function. Materials: Male Wistar rats that underwent cecal punctures for induction of subacute peritonitis were infused with conventional parenteral nutrition solution (1.61% of total calories as arginine) or solutions supplemented with low-, medium-, or high-dose arginine (2.85%, 4.08%, and 6.54% of total calories, respectively) for 7 days. Distributions of T cells, B cells, and monocytes/macrophages and cytokine productions of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and splenocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in circulating white blood cell numbers and serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ concentrations among groups. Serum nitrate/nitrite (NOx) and interleukin (IL)-2 levels were significantly decreased by arginine in a dose-dependent manner. Animals supplemented with parenteral arginine had significantly decreased productions of concanavalin (Con) A- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated TNF-α in PBLs and splenocytes, spontaneous IL-6 and LPS-stimulated IFN-γ in PBLs, and LPS-stimulated IL-6 in splenocytes. In addition, low-dose arginine significantly increased production of spontaneous IFN-γ in PBLs and splenocytes. High-dose arginine significantly increased spontaneous TNF-α, and Con A stimulated IL-4 and IL-6 in PBLs. Conclusion: Parenteral arginine administration at approximately 4% of total calories may alter PBLs and splenocytic immunity, and >6% of total calories might not be of benefit in rats with subacute peritonitis.

• Long-Term Enteral Arginine Supplementation in Rats with Intestinal Ischemia and Reperfusion.

  Authors: Chien-Hsing Lee, Chien-Chou Hsiao, Ching-Yi Hung, Yu-Jun Chang, Hui-Chen Lo

  The Journal of surgical research. 03/2011;

  BACKGROUND: The effects of short-term enteral arginine supplementation on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury have been widely studied, especially the ischemic preconditioningBACKGROUND: The effects of short-term enteral arginine supplementation on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury have been widely studied, especially the ischemic preconditioning supplementation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term intra-duodenal supplementation of arginine on intestinal morphology, arginine-associated amino acid metabolism, and inflammatory responses in rats with intestinal IR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats with or without three hours of ileal ischemia underwent duodenal cannulation for continuous infusion of formula with 2% arginine or commercial protein powder for 7 d. The serological examinations, plasma amino acid and cytokine profiles, and intestinal morphology were assessed. RESULTS: Intestinal IR injury had significant impacts on the decreases in circulating red blood cells, hemoglobin, ileum mass, and villus height and crypt depth of the distal jejunum. In addition, arginine supplementation decreased serum cholesterol and increased plasma arginine concentrations. In rats with intestinal IR injury, arginine supplementation significantly decreased serum nitric oxide, plasma citrulline and ornithine, and the mucosal protein content of the ileum. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that long-term intra-duodenal arginine administration may not have observable benefits on intestinal morphology or inflammatory response in rats with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury. Therefore, the necessity of long-term arginine supplementation for patients with intestinal ischemia and reperfusion injury remains questionable and requires further investigation.

• Medicinal mushrooms for glycemic control in diabetes mellitus: history, current status, future perspectives, and unsolved problems (review).

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Solomon P Wasser

  International journal of medicinal mushrooms. 01/2011; 13(5):401-26.

  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia with defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance. Despite great efforts that have been made in theDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia with defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin resistance. Despite great efforts that have been made in the understanding and management of diabetes, its prevalence continues to grow. Recent discoveries have opened up an exciting opportunity for developing new types of therapeutics from medicinal mushrooms to control DM and its complications. To date, more and more active components including polysaccharides and their protein complexes, dietary fibers, and other compounds extracted from fruiting bodies, cultured mycelium, or cultured broth of medicinal mushrooms have been reported as to having anti-hyperglycemic activity. These compounds exhibit their antidiabetic activity via different mechanisms. This article presents an overview of the multiple aspects of diabetes mellitus and the efficacy and mechanism of medicinal mushrooms for glucose control in diabetes, including the inhibition of glucose absorption, protection of beta-cell damage, increase of insulin release, enhancement of antioxidant defense, attenuation of inflammation, modulation of carbohydrate metabolism pathway, and regulation of insulin-dependent and insulin-independent signaling pathways. However, there is insufficient evidence to draw definitive conclusions about the efficacy of individual medicinal mushrooms for diabetes. In addition, the wide variability, the lack of standards for production, and the lack of testing protocols to assess product quality are still problems in producing medicinal mushroom products. Moreover, well-designed randomized controlled trials with long-term consumption are needed to guarantee the bioactivity and safety of medicinal mushroom products for diabetic patients.

• Dose effects of chronically infused nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on anabolic response and arginine metabolism in rats with subacute peritonitis.

  Authors: Chien-Chou Hsiao, Chien-Hsing Lee, Lon-Yen Tsao, Hui-Chen Lo

  Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin. 01/2011; 34(2):177-82.

  Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors alleviate the adverse effects of nitric oxide (NO) overproduction that occurs during peritonitis, a clinical condition that is accompanied by arginineNitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors alleviate the adverse effects of nitric oxide (NO) overproduction that occurs during peritonitis, a clinical condition that is accompanied by arginine deficiency. However, the variations in the disease severity and the dosage, route, and period of NOS inhibitor administration are debatable. Therefore, we investigated the dose effects of chronically infused NOS inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the anabolism, inflammatory responses, and arginine metabolism in parenterally fed rats with cecal puncture-induced subacute peritonitis. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups and were administered total parenteral nutrition solutions with 0, 5 (low dose), 25 (medium dose), or 50 (high dose) mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) of L-NAME for 7 d. Sham-operated rats administered total parenteral nutrition solution and normal healthy rats fed chow diet were also included. Our results showed that parenteral infusion significantly decreased body weight gain and plasma citrulline concentrations. In rats with subacute peritonitis, the parenteral infusion-induced increases in circulating white blood cells and NO were significantly decreased, whereas the decrease in serum albumin levels was significantly increased. Rats with subacute peritonitis that were administered chronic infusion of L-NAME had a significantly reduced nitrogen balance. In addition, rats administered the medium dose of L-NAME had significantly increased plasma arginine, ornithine, glutamate, and proline. In conclusion, chronic infusion of NOS inhibitors may not alter systemic NO homeostasis and inflammatory response but may facilitate the production of arginine-associated amino acids and nitrogen excretion in cases of subacute peritonitis.

• 28-day oral safety evaluation of extracellular polysaccharopeptides produced in submerged culture from the turkey tail medicinal mushroom Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilát LH-1 in mice.

  Authors: Chun-Hong Lai, Ju-Fang Teng, Tai-Hao Hsu, Fang-Yi Lin, Po-Wen Yang, Hui-chen Lo

  International journal of medicinal mushrooms. 01/2011; 13(3):227-36.

  Turkey tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (TV), is a species with a variety of pharmacological activities. Its intracellular polysaccharopeptides are widely commercialized. Recently, weTurkey tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (TV), is a species with a variety of pharmacological activities. Its intracellular polysaccharopeptides are widely commercialized. Recently, we found a novel TV strain LH-1 in Taiwan and demonstrated that the extracellular polysaccharopeptide (ePSP) of LH-1 obtained from submerged culture exhibits significant immunomodulatory activity. In this in vivo study, we further evaluated the safety of orally administered LH-1 ePSP using both male and female ICR mice. The LH-1 ePSP was orally administered to mice at levels of 0 (water), 100 (low dose), 500 (medium dose), or 1000 mg/kg/day (high dose) for 28 days. Clinical observations, growth, food consumption, histopathological examination, and clinical biochemical analyses revealed no adverse effects of LH-1 ePSP in mice. There were no significant differences in the results of target organ weights, hematological analyses, and urinalysis examination among groups. However, male mice that ingested high doses of LH-1 ePSP tended to have decreased lung weights and platelet numbers. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that oral administration of LH-1 ePSP for 28 days is accompanied by no obvious signs of toxicity. The lack of toxicity supports the potential use of LH-1 ePSP as a food or dietary supplement.

• Relative efficacy of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on hyperuricaemia in rats.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Yao-Horng Wang, Hue-Ying Chiou, Shan-Hu Lai, Yu Yang

  The British journal of nutrition. 03/2010; 104(1):67-75.

  Diets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. The effects of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on various serumDiets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. The effects of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on various serum parameters and renal histology were investigated on hyperuricaemic rats. Male Wistar rats administered with oxonic acid and UA to induce hyperuricaemia were fed with casein or soya protein plus palm- or safflower-seed oil-supplemented diets. Normal rats and hyperuricaemic rats with or without allopurinol treatment (150 mg/l in drinking water) were fed with casein plus maize oil-supplemented diets. After 8 weeks, allopurinol treatment and soya protein plus safflower-seed oil-supplemented diet significantly decreased serum UA in hyperuricaemic rats (one-way ANOVA; P < 0.05). In addition, soya protein and casein attenuated hyperuricaemia-induced decreases in serum albumin and insulin, respectively (two-way ANOVA; P < 0.05). Safflower-seed oil significantly decreased serum TAG and UA, whereas palm oil significantly increased serum cholesterol, TAG, blood urea N and creatinine. However, soya protein significantly decreased renal NO and nitrotyrosine and palm oil significantly decreased renal nitrotyrosine, TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma and increased renal transforming growth factor-beta. Casein with safflower-seed oil significantly attenuated renal tubulointerstitial nephritis, crystals and fibrosis. Comparing casein v. soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil, the results support that casein with safflower-seed oil may be effective in attenuating hyperuricaemia-associated renal damage, while soya protein with safflower-seed oil may be beneficial in lowering serum UA and TAG.

• Does pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine have beneficial effect in rats with sub-acute peritonitis?

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Shih-Chi Wu, Yao-Horng Wang, Chien-Hsing Lee

  Pediatric surgery international. 02/2010; 26(6):625-32.

  Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that may occur as a sequela of intra-abdominal infection. The management of peritonitis includes surgical intervention, antimicrobial therapy, andPeritonitis is a life-threatening condition that may occur as a sequela of intra-abdominal infection. The management of peritonitis includes surgical intervention, antimicrobial therapy, and nutritional support. Arginine has been reported to have beneficial and adverse effects in subjects with inflammation, which might be related to the dose, time, and route of supplementation and the disease severity. So far, the optimal doses of parenteral arginine are not known. In this study, we investigated dose effects of parenterally supplemented arginine on anabolism and arginine-derived metabolites in sub-acute inflammation. Male Wistar rats underwent modified cecal puncture procedure for induction of peritonitis were infused with total parenteral nutrition solutions for 7 days, which contained conventional, low, medium, and high doses of arginine, i.e., 1.61, 2.85, 4.08, and 6.54% of calories from arginine. Healthy, orally fed rats were included as references. On day 7, peritonitic rats had significantly decreased body weight, declined serum albumin, and increased serum nitric oxide (NO) and tumor-necrosis factor-alpha compared to references (ANOVA, P < 0.05). There were no dose effects of parenteral arginine on body weight, nitrogen retention, and serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in peritonitic rats. In contrast, plasma arginine, proline, and ornithine, and urinary urea nitrogen were significantly increased, whereas serum NO and plasma glutamine were significantly decreased in dose-dependent manners with parenteral arginine. Pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine may increase the synthesis of ornithine, urea, and proline instead of citrulline and NO in peritonitic rats. These results suggest that high dose of parenteral arginine may facilitate ureagenesis and proline conversion without causing augmentation of NO production in sub-acute inflammation. Therefore, pharmacological dose of parenteral arginine may not have benefits in anabolism but does not cause adverse effect in rats with sub-acute inflammation.

• Oral Antibiotics Attenuate Bowel Segment Reversal-Induced Alterations in Subpopulation and Function of Peripheral Blood Leukocytes, Thymocytes, and Splenocytes in Massive Bowel-Resected Rats.

  Authors: Chien-Hsing Lee, Jing-Yi Chen, Mei-Ling Li, Ming-Chih Chou, Hui-Chen Lo

  JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition. 10/2008;

  BACKGROUND: The authors previously demonstrated that oral antibiotics significantly attenuated inflammatory response, improved intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and augmented anabolic response inBACKGROUND: The authors previously demonstrated that oral antibiotics significantly attenuated inflammatory response, improved intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and augmented anabolic response in massive bowel-resected rats with bowel-segment reversal. Herein, the effects of oral antibiotics on immune functions were investigated. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to a sham operation or a 70% small bowel resection with or without a 3-cm small bowel segment reversal. Thereafter, half numbers of animals with bowel resection and reversal were orally administered clindamycin plus amoxicillin (50 plus 50 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. Age-matched nonsurgical rats were included as references. Peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus were collected for analyzing immunocyte subpopulations and function. RESULTS: Bowel resection significantly decreased weight gain, thymic weight, and splenic helper-T, suppressor-T, and mature-B cells but significantly increased splenic macrophage distribution and concanvavalin A-stimulated splenocytic proliferation and cytokine production, such as tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin (IL)-2 (1-way ANOVA, P < .05). Bowel segment reversal further decreased circulating suppressor-T cells but increased circulating natural killer cells and spontaneous splenocytic TNF-alpha production. Segment reversal-induced elevations in bacterial numbers of gut content, circulating white blood cell, nitric oxide, IL-6, splenocytic interferon-gamma and IL-2 production, reductions in T-thymocytic distribution, and alterations in thymocytic interferon-gamma and IL-2 production were attenuated by oral antibiotics. Moreover, oral antibiotics significantly increased splenocytic granulocytes and spontaneous thymocytic proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: Oral antibiotics might augment the beneficial effects of bowel segment reversal on anabolism via attenuating bacterial overgrowth and inflammatory response, and restore subpopulation and function of splenocytes and thymocytes in massive bowel-resected rats. (JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. XXXX;XX:xx-xx).

• Induction of apoptosis in human lung carcinoma A549 epithelial cells with an ethanol extract of Tremella mesenterica.

  Authors: Nan-Yin Chen, Hsi-Huai Lai, Tai-Hao Hsu, Fang-Yi Lin, Jian-Zhi Chen, Hui-Chen Lo

  Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry. 06/2008; 72(5):1283-9.

  Tremella mesenterica (TM) is a common food and folk medicine widely used in several Asian countries as a tonic for the lungs. In the present study, we compared the effects of extracellularTremella mesenterica (TM) is a common food and folk medicine widely used in several Asian countries as a tonic for the lungs. In the present study, we compared the effects of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), intracellular polysaccharides (IPS), and ethanol extract (EE) of Tremella mesenterica on the induction of apoptosis into human lung carcinoma A549 epithelial cells. The EE, but not the EPS or the IPS, almost completely inhibited the growth of A549 cells. The results of Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometric analysis indicated that the percentage of Annexin V(+)/PI(-) cells in EE-treated cells increased to 32.8%. The results of further investigation showed a disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the activation of caspase-3 protein in EE-treated cells. These findings suggest that EE can decrease cell viability and induce apoptosis in A549 cell lines by activating a mitochondrial pathway.

• Submerged culture mycelium and broth of Grifola frondosa improve glycemic responses in diabetic rats.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Tai-Hao Hsu, Ching-Yi Chen

  The American journal of Chinese medicine. 01/2008; 36(2):265-85.

  Grifola frondosa, an edible fungus with a large fruiting body and overlapping caps, has been demonstrated to be a natural source of health-promoting substances, mainly due to its polysaccharidesGrifola frondosa, an edible fungus with a large fruiting body and overlapping caps, has been demonstrated to be a natural source of health-promoting substances, mainly due to its polysaccharides beta-glucan. By using male Wistar rats injected with saline (normal rats) or nicotinamide plus streptozotocin (diabetic rats), we investigated the effects of an orally ingested placebo (CON and STZ groups), culture mycelium (CGM and SGM groups), broth (CGB and SGB groups), and mycelium plus broth (CGX and SGX groups) of Grifola frondosa on glycemic responses. During the experimental period (from day 0 to day 15), the STZ group had significantly lower body weight compared to the CON group (one-way ANOVA, p<0.05). Moreover, the STZ group had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations at 2 hour-postprandial periods on days 0, 7, and 14 and in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on day 10, as well as significantly higher serum fructosamine and triglyceride on day 15 compared to the CON group. These diabetes-induced increases were significantly attenuated by administrations of mycelium and/or broth, i.e., the SGM, SGB, and SGX groups. The results of repeated-measures analysis and three-way ANOVA indicated that diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium administration significantly decreases postprandial blood glucose; diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium and broth administrations significantly decrease serum triglyceride, fructosamine, and blood glucose concentrations; moreover, in the area under the curve in OGTT, p<0.05. Our results revealed that submerged-culture mycelia and broth of Grifola frondosa have bioactivities for improving glycemic responses.

• Effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on circulating interleukin-8, nitric oxide, and insulin-like growth factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  Authors: Shih-Jen Chen, Chen-Tung Yu, Ya-Ling Cheng, Shi-Yau Yu, Hui-Chen Lo

  Clinical biochemistry. 02/2007; 40(1-2):30-6.

  BACKGROUND: The potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have been reported in diabetic patients with foot ulcers. However, the roles of HBOT on wound healing-associated growth factorsBACKGROUND: The potential benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) have been reported in diabetic patients with foot ulcers. However, the roles of HBOT on wound healing-associated growth factors and inflammatory mediators are not completely understood in diabetes mellitus (DM). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HBOT on circulating cytokines, NO, and insulin-like growth factors (IGF) in patients with type 2 DM. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples were collected from patients with type 2 DM (n=31) and healthy subjects (n=29) before (baseline) and after the first and third exposure. RESULTS: Before HBOT, body mass index (BMI) and serum HbA1c were significantly greater, whereas serum IGF-I was significantly lower in diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects (one-way ANOVA, p<0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, and BMI, serum insulin, growth hormone (GH), IGF-II, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, leptin, interleukin (IL)-8, and NO were not significantly altered by HBOT in diabetic patients and healthy subjects (repeated-measures ANOVA). Change in serum insulin (baseline to the third exposure) was a positive predictor of changes in leptin and NO in healthy subjects and diabetic patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that short-term HBOT may not alter the circulating insulin, IGF, leptin, IL-8, and NO levels. In addition, healthy subjects and diabetic patients showed differential responses to HBOT in the relationships of leptin, insulin, and NO. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of HBOT-improved wound healing in diabetic patients with foot ulcers.

• The regulatory mechanism of Tremella mesenterica on steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

  Authors: Yen-Wen Chen, Hui-Chen Lo, Jyuer-Ger Yang, Chi-Hsien Chien, Shi-Hsiung Lee, Chi-Yu Tseng, Bu-Miin Huang

  Life sciences. 08/2006; 79(6):584-90.

  Tremella mesenterica (TM), a yellow jelly mushroom, has been traditionally used as tonic food to improve body condition in Chinese society for a long time. We have previously demonstrated that TMTremella mesenterica (TM), a yellow jelly mushroom, has been traditionally used as tonic food to improve body condition in Chinese society for a long time. We have previously demonstrated that TM reduced in vitro hCG-treated steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells without any toxicity effect. In the present study, the mechanism how TM suppressed hCG-treated steroidogenesis in MA-10 cells was investigated. MA-10 cells were treated with vehicle, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 50 ng/ml), or different reagents with or without TM to clarify the effects. TM significantly suppressed progesterone production with the presences of forskolin (10 and 100 microM) or dbcAMP (0.5 and 1mM), respectively, in MA-10 cells (p<0.05), which indicated that TM suppressed steroidogenesis after PKA activation along the signal pathway. Beyond our expectation, TM induced the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein with or without hCG treatments. However, TM profoundly decreased P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) enzyme activities without any influences on the expression of both enzymes. These inhibitions on steroidogenic enzyme activities might counteract the stimulation of StAR protein expression. In conclusion, results suggest that TM suppressed hCG-treated steroidogenesis in MA-10 cells by inhibiting PKA signal pathway and steroidogenic enzyme activities.

• Effects of ingested fruiting bodies, submerged culture biomass, and acidic polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan of Tremella mesenterica Retz.:Fr. on glycemic responses in normal and diabetic rats.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Fu-Ann Tsai, Solomon P Wasser, Jyuer-Ger Yang, Bu-Miin Huang

  Life sciences. 04/2006; 78(17):1957-66.

  Mushroom polysaccharides have been shown to regulate glucose metabolism. Using male Wistar rats injected with saline (normal rats), streptozotocin (STZ-NT rats), or streptozotocin plus nicotinamideMushroom polysaccharides have been shown to regulate glucose metabolism. Using male Wistar rats injected with saline (normal rats), streptozotocin (STZ-NT rats), or streptozotocin plus nicotinamide (STZ+NT rats), we investigated the hypoglycemic activity of orally ingested fruiting bodies (FB), submerged culture biomass (CM), or the acidic polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) of Tremella mesenterica, an edible jelly mushroom. Our results demonstrated that FB ingestion significantly attenuated the elevated blood glucose levels in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in STZ-NT rats. However, in STZ+NT rats, FB, CM, and GXM ingestion significantly attenuated the increases in food and water intake, 2-h postprandial blood glucose concentrations, and blood glucose levels in OGTT. Moreover, FB and GXM ingestion significantly decreased serum concentration of fructosamine in STZ+NT rats. Our results indicated that T. mesenterica might be developed as a potential oral hypoglycemic agent or functional food for diabetic patients and for persons with high risk for diabetes mellitus.

• Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of Natural and Fermented Cordyceps sinensis in Rats with Diabetes Induced by Nicotinamide and Streptozotocin.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Tai-Hao Hsu, Shih-Te Tu, Kwo-Chuan Lin

  The American journal of Chinese medicine. 01/2006; 34(5):819-32.

  Our previous study demonstrated that the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, attenuated diabetes-induced weight loss, polydipsia, and hyperglycemia in rats. In theOur previous study demonstrated that the fruiting bodies of Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, attenuated diabetes-induced weight loss, polydipsia, and hyperglycemia in rats. In the present study, we further compared the anti-hyperglycemic activity of the fermented mycelia and broth of Cordyceps sinensis with that of the fruiting bodies. Male Wistar rats orally administered a placebo (STZ group), fruiting bodies (FB group, 1 g/day), fermented mycelia (MCS group, 1 g/day), fermented broth (BCS group, 1 g/day), or fermented mycelia plus broth (XCS group, 0.5 g/day of each) of Cordyceps sinensis (d1 to d28) were injected with nicotinamide (200 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) on d15. Rats fed with a placebo and injected with saline served as the control (CON) group. The amount of water and food consumption (d15 to d29), the 2-hour-postprandial blood glucose concentrations (d21 and d28), and the serum concentrations of fructosamine (d29) were significantly lower in the FB, MCS, BCS, and XCS groups than in the STZ group (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05). The diabetic rats had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations as measured by the oral glucose tolerance test than the control rats; moreover, these changes were significantly reduced by ingesting the fruiting bodies, fermented mycelia and/or broth of Cordyceps sinensis. Our results revealed that the fermented mycelia and broth of Cordyceps sinensis have anti-hyperglycemic activities similar to those of the fruiting bodies. Therefore, the fermented products of Cordyceps sinensis could be developed as potential anti-diabetic agents or functional foods for persons with a high risk of diabetes mellitus.

• The relationship among serum cytokines, chemokine, nitric oxide, and leptin in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Su-Chen Lin, Yu-Mei Wang

  Clinical biochemistry. 09/2004; 37(8):666-72.

  OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cytokines, leptin and vascular tone-related chemokine and nitric oxide (NO) in type 1 diabetic children. DESIGN ANDOBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cytokines, leptin and vascular tone-related chemokine and nitric oxide (NO) in type 1 diabetic children. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 58 children with type 1 diabetes and 33 of their healthy siblings. RESULTS: Serum interleukin (IL)-8 was significantly higher and serum nitric oxide was significantly lower in the children with diabetes than in their healthy siblings. Stepwise regression analysis showed that there were significantly positive correlations between IL-1beta and IL-6, IL-1beta and nitric oxide, IL-4 and tumor-necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-4 and leptin, IL-8 and IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-6, as well as significantly inversed correlations between IL-6 and IL-2, IL-8 and interferon-gamma, and leptin and TNF-alpha in siblings, not in the children with diabetes. However, there were significantly positive correlations between IL-2 and IL-4, IL-2 and leptin, IL-4 and IL-6, and TNF-alpha and IL-6 in children with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the alterations of circulating IL-8 and nitric oxide levels and cytokine network in children with diabetes may be associated with the cardiovascular disease in their adulthood.

• The anti-hyperglycemic activity of the fruiting body of Cordyceps in diabetic rats induced by nicotinamide and streptozotocin.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Shih-Te Tu, Kwo-Chuan Lin, Su-Chen Lin

  Life sciences. 04/2004; 74(23):2897-908.

  Little scientific evidence exists to support the numerous herbs used to improve diabetes-related metabolic disorders. Cordyceps, a Chinese herbal medicine with fruiting body and carcass, has beenLittle scientific evidence exists to support the numerous herbs used to improve diabetes-related metabolic disorders. Cordyceps, a Chinese herbal medicine with fruiting body and carcass, has been proposed to have multiple medicinal activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fruiting body and carcass of Cordyceps on hyperglycemia. Male Wistar rats administered with placebo (STZ group), 1 g of fruiting body (FB group), 1 g of carcass (CC group), or 1g of fruiting body plus carcass (CF group) of Cordyceps for four weeks (d1 to d28) were injected with nicotinamide (200 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) on d15. Animals fed with placebo and injected with saline acted as the controls (CON group). The results showed that water intake (d15 to d29), changes in fasting blood glucose concentration (d15 to d26), and serum concentrations of fructosamine (d29) were significantly greater in the STZ, CC and CF groups than in the CON and FB groups (one-way ANOVA, P < 0.05). The diabetic rats had significantly lower weight gain and higher blood glucose response in oral glucose tolerance test than the control rats; and these changes were significantly reduced by administrating the fruiting body of Cordyceps. Our results revealed that fruiting body, not carcass, of Cordyceps attenuated the diabetes-induced weight loss, polydipsia and hyperglycemia, and these improvements suggest that fruiting body of Cordyceps has a potential to be the functional food for diabetes.

• Simultaneous measurements of serum insulin-like growth factor-I and leptin reflect the postoperative nutrition status of oral tumor patients.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Chang-Shyue Yang, Ling-Jane Tsai

  Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.). 05/2003; 19(4):327-31.

  OBJECTIVE: Recent evidence has shown that circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and leptin are regulated by nutrition support. Our objective was to investigate the reliability ofOBJECTIVE: Recent evidence has shown that circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and leptin are regulated by nutrition support. Our objective was to investigate the reliability of IGF-I and leptin in monitoring the efficacy of nutrition support and nutrition status in oral tumor patients. METHODS: Fifty-one male patients scheduled to receive resection operation for oral tumor were recruited. Fasted blood samples were collected before surgery (d0), on the first postoperative day before feeding (d1), and on the seventh postoperative day (d7) with nasogastric tube feeding (35 kcal x kg(-1) x d(-1)). Fifty male healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, patients had significantly greater serum concentrations of transferrin and significantly lower serum concentrations of prealbumin and tumor-necrosis factor-alpha than did healthy volunteers on d0. In oral tumor patients, resection with prolonged fasting significantly increased levels of growth hormone and interleukin-6 and significantly decreased levels prealbumin, retinol-binding protein, IGF-I, and leptin, and these alterations were reversed by nutrition support for 6 d in oral tumor patients. Serum IGF-I was further increased on d7 compared with d0. In addition, leptin was the only nutrition-related serum protein showing significantly positive correlation with body mass index in healthy volunteers and patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that simultaneous measurements of serum IGF-I and leptin may provide information with regard to the efficacy of nutrition support and nutrition status in oral tumor patients undergoing surgery.

• Effects of hypercaloric feeding on nutrition status and carbon dioxide production in patients with long-term mechanical ventilation.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Ching-Hsiung Lin, Ling-Jang Tsai

  JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition. 29(5):380-7.

  BACKGROUND: To clarify clinical arguments regarding nutrition support in patients with long-term mechanical ventilation, we investigated the effects of hypercaloric feeding on nutrition status andBACKGROUND: To clarify clinical arguments regarding nutrition support in patients with long-term mechanical ventilation, we investigated the effects of hypercaloric feeding on nutrition status and carbon dioxide production. METHODS: Twenty-eight mechanically ventilated, clinically stable patients with nasogastric tube feeding were recruited and randomly divided into the control and hypercaloric groups, which were provided with 1.2- and 1.8-fold of resting energy expenditure (REE), respectively. The arterial and venous blood samples were collected, the anthropometric measurements were determined, the serum concentrations of nutrition-related proteins were measured, and the parameters on the ventilator and indirect calorimeter were recorded on weeks 0, 2, and 4. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in anthropometric measurements, blood gas tensions, and REE between the control and hypercaloric groups during the experimental period (mixed model with repeated measures analysis, p < .05). After adjusted for values on week 0 and time, patients with hypercaloric feeding had significantly increased levels in white blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. However, the control group had significantly decreased and the hypercaloric group had significantly increased serum concentrations of prealbumin and transferrin, rate of carbon dioxide production, and respiratory quotient (RQ) from week 0 to week 4. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 4 weeks of hypercaloric feeding may significantly increase the production of carbon dioxide but may not significantly alter the clinical outcomes in patients with long-term mechanical ventilation. The adverse effects of hypercaloric feeding may easily be overlooked, and the appropriateness of nutrition support should be carefully monitored in patients with mechanical ventilation.

• Changes in serum insulin-like growth factors, not leptin, are associated with postnatal weight gain in preterm neonates.

  Authors: Hui-Chen Lo, Lon-Yen Tsao, Wen-Yin Hsu, Chiu-Yen Chi, Fu-Ann Tsai

  JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition. 29(2):87-92.

  BACKGROUND: Serum concentrations of conventional nutrition-related proteins, such as albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, and retinol-binding protein, are usually inconsistent with changes inBACKGROUND: Serum concentrations of conventional nutrition-related proteins, such as albumin, prealbumin, transferrin, and retinol-binding protein, are usually inconsistent with changes in anthropometric measurements in the postnatal period. The aim of this study was to evaluate how reliable growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs), and leptin, the proteins known to be involved in the regulation of growth, are in reflecting postnatal growth and nutritional status in preterm neonates. METHODS: Blood samples and anthropometric measurements were collected from 55 preterm neonates (chronological age 30.4 +/- 2.8 weeks) for 4 continuous weeks (weeks 0 to 3). RESULTS: After adjusting for chronological age, body weights and serum IGF-II concentrations were significantly greater and serum transferrin concentrations were significantly lower in weeks 2 and 3 than in week 0 (repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni test, p < .05). Forward stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that change in total IGF-I (week 0 to week 3) was a positive predictor, and changes in insulin and prealbumin were negative predictors of postnatal weight gain. In addition, daily fat intake was a positive predictor of postnatal length increases, and changes in prealbumin, insulin, and GH were negative predictors of postnatal changes in the ponderal index (weight x length(-3)). Changes in GH and IGFBP-2 were negative predictors of changes in head circumference and triceps skinfold thickness, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serial measurements of serum IGF-I and IGF-II may be useful adjuncts to anthropometric measurements for monitoring postnatal growth and nutritional status in preterm neonates.

• Effects of Lycium barbarum extract on production and immunomodulatory activity of the extracellular polysaccharopeptides from submerged fermentation culture of Coriolus versicolor

  Authors: Fang-Yi Lin, Yiu-Kay Lai, Hao-Chen Yu, Nan-Yin Chen, Chi-Yue Chang, Hui-Chen Lo, Tai-Hao Hsu

  Food Chemistry.

  Polysaccharopeptides (PSPs) from Coriolus versicolor have been used as immunomodulatory and anticancer agents. However, most studies have concentrated on the mycelial PSPs and not those in thePolysaccharopeptides (PSPs) from Coriolus versicolor have been used as immunomodulatory and anticancer agents. However, most studies have concentrated on the mycelial PSPs and not those in the fermented broth. On the other hand, Lycium barbarum fruit has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for two millennia. Its extract contains various nutrients, minerals, and also polysaccharide–protein complexes, which are proven to be bioactive. Herein we report the effects of L. barbarum fruit extract on the mycelial growth and extracellular PSP (ePSP) production of C. versicolor LH1 by using a submerged fermentation process in 20 l fermenters. Fermentation production of C. versicolor biomass and its ePSP were augmented in the presence of L. barbarum extract. The ePSP such obtained differs from those obtained with normal culture medium in terms of simple sugar composition and protein content but shows similar overall chemical structures as analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Moreover, the ePSP from C. versicolor cultured with supplementary L. barbarum extract exhibits significant immunomodulatory activity as judged by its effects on the production of nitric oxide and several cytokines by murine RAW264.7 macrophages.