Impact of fermented milk on human health: Cholesterol-lowering and immunomodulatory properties of fermented milk

In this review, we focus on the cholesterol-lowering activity of Lactobacillus gasseri , the immunomodulatory function of casein phosphopeptides (CPPs) and lactic acid bacteria as starters for fermented milk, and the probability and difficulty of creating immunomodulatory fermented milk as a 'food for specified health use'. Among the starter bacteria used for the preparation of fermented milk, L. gasseri SBT0270 could exert a hypocholesterolemic effect in rats fed a diet high in cholesterol through deconjugation of bile salts. On the other hand, CPPs, having a tripeptide sequence consisting of two phosphoserine residues at N- and C-terminal positions, stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and IgA formation via the increase of interleukin-5 and interleukin-6 produced by type 2 helper T cells. The oral ingestion of CPPs enhanced the level of antigen-specific and total intestinal IgA. Moreover, one strain of bifidobacteria ( Bifidobacterium breve YIT4064) and one strain of Lactobacilli ( Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota), used as a starter for fermented milk, activated the humoral and cellular immune system, respectively, and prevented various diseases. It is important to elucidate what components modulate and what mechanisms are responsible for the physiological function of fermented milk in order for it to be accepted as a 'food for specified health use' claiming immunomodulatory activity.     

Soil properties relating to the sediment volume of Ando soils

Soil properties relating to the sediment volume of Ando soils varied depending on their physical state. The water content is a useful index property for the sediment volume of field-moist soils. The sediment volume of air-dried soils increased with decreasing clay content and with increasing organic carbon content. The water retention at 52% relative humidity was related to the sediment volume of soils subjected to a sonic wave treatment. An explanation of this behaviour is given in terms of the tendency of Ando soils to form water-stable aggregates.     

Effects of fasting and refeeding on plasma concentrations of leptin, ghrelin, insulin, growth hormone and metabolites in swine

The effects of nutritional status, such as fasting and refeeding, on leptin and ghrelin secretion in swine were examined. The swine (n = 4) were fasted for 54 h and plasma hormone levels were measured before, during and after fasting. Plasma leptin and insulin concentrations began to decrease 12 and 6 h into the fasting period, respectively (P < 0.05), and maintained a low level for the remaining period of fasting. Plasma leptin and insulin returned to the pre‐fasting value 6 and 12 h after refeeding, respectively. Plasma ghrelin concentrations showed a nocturnal periodicity during the fasting period; it increased nocturnally at 36 and 42 h into the fasting period (P < 0.05). Plasma growth hormone levels did not show any remarkable changes during the fasting. Plasma glucose levels showed a modest fall during fasting and significantly decreased (P < 0.05) at 24 h into the fasting period, returning to pre‐fasting levels after refeeding. Plasma nonesterified fatty acid levels increased (P < 0.05) at 12 h into the fasting period and returned to the pre‐fasting level 6 h after refeeding. These results indicate that plasma leptin, insulin and ghrelin play an important role in maintaining energy homeostasis in swine. The plasma ghrelin did not continuously increase, but showed nocturnal periodicity during fasting. This may suggest that ghrelin is also involved in physiological processes other than energy homeostasis.