12 research outputs found
Effect of Continuous Feeding of Ayu-Narezushi on Lipid Metabolism in a Mouse Model of Metabolic Syndrome
Ayu-narezushi, a traditional Japanese fermented food, comprises abundant levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and free amino acids. This study aimed to examine the potential beneficial effects of ayu-narezushi and investigated whether ayu-narezushi led to improvements in the Tsumura Suzuki obese diabetes (TSOD) mice model of spontaneous metabolic syndrome because useful LAB are known as probiotics that regulate intestinal function. In the present study, the increased body weight of the TSOD mice was attenuated in those fed the ayu-narezushi-comprised chow (ayu-narezushi group) compared with those fed the normal rodent chow (control group). Serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the Ayu-narezushi group than in the control group at 24 weeks of age. Furthermore, hepatic mRNA levels of carnitine-palmitoyl transferase 1 and acyl-CoA oxidase, which related to fatty acid oxidation, were significantly increased in the ayu-narezushi group than in the control group at 24 weeks of age. In conclusion, these results suggested that continuous feeding with ayu-narezushi improved obesity and dyslipidemia in the TSOD mice and that the activation of fatty acid oxidation in the liver might contribute to these improvements
Influence of dam construction on the Jinzu and Shou Rivers famous for river fishery, and the perspective
Forecast of the first ascending day and number of ascending ayu Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis in rivers flowing into Lake Biwa
Fabrication of Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging from Polymer-Brush-Afforded Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles Prepared by Surface-Initiated Living Radical Polymerization
The
aim of this study is to fabricate a contrast agent for magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) by using hybrid particles composed of a core
of iron oxide magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) nanoparticles
and a shell of hydrophilic polymer brush synthesized by surface-initiated
(SI) living radical polymerization. To achieve this, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles were surface-modified with initiating
groups for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) via a ligand-exchange
reaction in the presence of a triethoxysilane derivative having an
ATRP initiation site. The ATRP-initiator-functionalized Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles were used for performing the SI-ATRP
of methyl methacrylate to demonstrate the ability of the synthesized
nanoparticles to produce well-defined polymer brushes on their surfaces.
The polymerization proceeded in a living fashion so as to produce
graft polymers with targeted molecular weights and narrow molecular
weight distribution. The average graft density was estimated to be
as high as 0.7 chains/nm<sup>2</sup>, which indicates the formation
of so-called concentrated polymer brushes on the Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles. Dynamic light scattering and transmission
electron microscope observations of the hybrid nanoparticles revealed
their uniformity and dispersibility in solvents to be excellent. A
similar polymerization process was conducted using a hydrophilic monomer,
poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA), to prepare
Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanoparticles grafted with poly(PEGMA)
brushes. The resultant hybrid nanoparticles showed excellent dispersibility
in aqueous media including physiological conditions without causing
any aggregations. The blood clearance and biodistribution of the hybrid
particles were investigated by intravenously injecting particles labeled
with a radio isotope, <sup>125</sup>I, into mice. It was found that
some hybrid particles exhibited an excellently prolonged circulation
lifetime in the blood with a half-life of about 24 h. When such hybrid
particles were injected intravenously into a tumor-bearing mouse,
they preferentially accumulated in the tumor tissues owing to the
so-called enhanced permeability and retention effect. The tumor-targeted
delivery was visualized by a <i>T</i><sub>2</sub>-enhaced
MRI measurement