Two-year toxicity and carcinogenicity study of methyleugenol in F344/N rats and B6C3F(1) mice

Methyleugenol (MEG) was tested for toxicity/carcinogenicity in a 2-yr carcinogenesis bioassay because of its widespread use in a variety of foods, beverages, and cosmetics as well as its structural resemblance to the known carcinogen safrole. F344/N rats and B6C3F(1) mice (50 animals/sex/dose group) were given MEG suspended in 0.5% methylcellulose by gavage at doses of 37, 75, or 150 mg/kg/day for 2 yr. Control groups (60 rats/sex and 50 mice/sex) received only the vehicle. A stop-exposure group of 60 rats/sex received 300 mg/kg/day by gavage for 53 weeks followed by the vehicle only for the remaining 52 weeks of the study. A special study group (10 animals/sex/species/dose group) were used for toxicokinetic studies. All male rats given 150 and 300 mg/kg/day died before the end of the study; survival of female rats given 150 mg/kg/day and all treated female mice was decreased. Mean body weights of treated male and female rats and mice were decreased when compared to control. Area under the curve results indicated that greater than dose proportional increases in plasma MEG occurred for male 150 and 300 mg/kg/day group rats (6 and 12 month) and male 150 mg/kg/day mice (12 month). Target organs included the liver, glandular stomach, forestomach (female rats) and kidney, mammary gland, and subcutaneous tissue (male rats). Liver neoplasms occurred in all dose groups of rats and mice and included hepatoadenoma, hepatocarcinoma, hepatocholangioma (rats only), hepatocholangiocarcinoma, and hepatoblastoma (mice only). Nonneoplastic liver lesions included eosinophilic and mixed cell foci (rats only), hypertrophy, oval cell hyperplasia, cystic degeneration (rats only), and bile duct hyperplasia. Mice also exhibited necrosis, hematopoietic cell proliferation, and hemosiderin pigmentation. Glandular stomach lesions in rats and mice included benign and malignant neuroendocrine tumors, neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia, and atrophy and in mice included glandular ectasia/chronic active inflammation. In female rats, the forestomach showed a positive trend in the incidences of squamous cell papilloma or carcinoma (combined). Male rats also exhibited kidney (renal tubule hyperplasia, nephropathy, and adenomacarcinoma), mammary gland (fibroadenoma), and subcutaneous tissue (fibroma, fibrosarcoma) lesions. Male rats also exhibited malignant mesotheliomas and splenic fibrosis. These data demonstrate that MEG is a multisite, multispecies carcinogen.     

Determination of coenzyme Q10 and Q9 in vegetable oils

A new sensitive and selective method has been developed for the quantification of the total coenzyme Q9 (CoQ9) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) concentration in vegetable oil samples. The coenzyme Q fraction is isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on amino phase eluting with a mixture of heptane:ethyl ether. The organic solvent is evaporated under nitrogen, and the residue is dissolved in a mixture of acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran and finally is analyzed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with a mass detector. The sensitivity of the method is based on the high efficient formation of the radical anions [M (-.)] of CoQ9 and CoQ10 by negative atmospheric pressure ionization. Interferences are minimized by using mass detection of the [M (-.)] ions ( m/ z = 797.5 for CoQ9 and m/ z = 862.5 for CoQ10) in selective reaction monitoring mode ( m/ z = 797.5 --> m/ z = 779.5 and m/ z = 862.5 --> m/ z = 847.5) using a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was successfully applied to sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed oils, with a limit of quantification of 0.025 mg/kg for both compounds.     

Dietary wine phenolics catechin, quercetin, and resveratrol efficiently protect hypercholesterolemic hamsters against aortic fatty streak accumulation

The effects of the phenolic compounds catechin (Cat), quercetin (Qer), and resveratrol (Res) present in red wine on early atherosclerosis were studied in hamsters. Hamsters (n = 32) were divided into 4 groups of 8 and fed an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks. They received by force-feeding 7.14 mL/(kg of body wt.day) Cat, Qer, or Res in water [2.856 mg/(kg of body wt.day) for Cat and 0.1428 mg/(kg of body wt.dday) for Qer and Res], mimicking a moderate consumption of alcohol-free red wine (equivalent to that supplied by the consumption of about two glasses of red wine per meal for a 70 kg human), or water as control. Plasma cholesterol concentration was lower in groups that consumed phenolics than in controls. The increase in plasma apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 concentration was mainly due to Cat (26%) and Qer (22%) and to a lesser extent, but nonsignificantly, Res (19%). Apo-B was not affected. Plasma antioxidant capacity was not improved, and there was no sparing effect on plasma vitamins A and E. Plasma iron and copper concentrations were not modified nor were liver super oxide dismutase and catalase activities. A sparing effect of Qer on liver glutathione peroxidase activity appeared, whereas Cat and Res exhibited a smaller effect. Aortic fatty streak area was significantly reduced in the groups receiving Cat (84%) or Qer (80%) or Res (76%) in comparison with the controls. These findings demonstrate that catechin, quercetin, and resveratrol at nutritional doses prevent the development of atherosclerosis through several indirect mechanisms.     

畜禽有机肥氮、磷在红壤中的矿化特征研究

选用腐熟的猪粪、鸡粪和第四纪红土发育的典型红壤为试验材料,通过室内培养试验,研究了土壤中矿质氮(NO-3-N和NH4+-N)及Olsen-p的动态变化.结果表明,有机肥中氮和磷的矿化具有不同特征.氮在红壤中的矿化阶段为:前4周缓慢释放,矿化速率为N 0.29～0.46mg/(kg·d);4～10周快速释放,矿化速率为N...     

北京夏季机械通风育肥猪舍CO2、NH3排放和耗水量研究

为明确拔塞式清粪机械通风育肥猪舍夏季CO2和NH3的排放量及猪舍耗水量,并建立中国类似设施猪舍的气体排放及水的消耗量基线及寻求减排和节水空间,选择北京市拔塞式清粪机械通风育肥猪舍,设计机械通风系统的通风量测量系统,并测量机械通风量,从2015年7月25日至8月11日(共18d)监测猪舍NH3、CO2排放量和耗水量.试验结果表明,NH3排放量平均值为(23.4±11.0)g/(d·500kg),范围为4.3~49.5g/(d·500kg).NH3的排放量在08:00和14:00极显著高于10:00,12:00、16:00和18:00时的排放量(P<0.001),可能是人工清粪行为导致NH3排放量降低.CO2排放量平均值为2.73±0.78kg/(d·500kg),最大和最小排放量分别是5.00和1.00kg/(d·500kg),44%的日平均排放量为2.5~3kg/(d·500kg),92%的日平均排放量小于4.0kg/(d·500kg),日间CO2排放量在12:00达到高峰.育肥猪耗水量的最大值、最小值和平均值分别为90.0,19.6和47.0L/(d·pig).     

石灰岩山地侧柏纯林非生长季土壤氮矿化研究

为探明石灰岩山地侧柏纯林非生长季土壤氮矿化能力,采用PVC管原位培养法对济南南部山区石灰岩山地人工恢复不同年限(5,10,25年)的侧柏纯林土壤的氮矿化能力进行研究。结果表明:3种不同恢复年限侧柏纯林NO3--N含量先升高后降低然后再有所升高,NH4+-N含量变化没有明显的规律性。其净硝化速率和净氮矿化速率均在11月份达到最大值,分别为(0.07±0.04)mg/(kg.d),(0.11±0.01)mg/(kg.d),(0.15±0.02)mg/(kg.d)和(0.15±0.04)mg/(kg.d),(0.29±0.02)mg/(kg.d),(0.33±0.03)mg/(kg.d)。石灰岩山地侧柏纯林土壤的净氮矿化速率与土壤湿度表现为二次函数关系,但随湿度增加,土壤净氮矿化能力降低。土壤净氮矿化与土壤pH值呈显著负相关(r=-0.452,p=0.018),与土壤有机碳含量、微生物量碳含量和C/N比均呈正相关关系,但相关性不显著(r=0.076,p=0.707;r=0.374,p=0.055;r=0.337,p=0.086)。非生长季石灰岩山地侧柏纯林土壤有较强的氮转化能力,气温变化所导致的土壤环境因素对氮矿化有显著影响。     

双污泥反硝化除磷系统中氨氮容积负荷的优化

农村生活污水具有处理量小,分散,日变化系数大等特点,分散处理成为农村污水处理的首要选择。该研究采用AAO工艺与BAF组成的双污泥反硝化除磷系统（anaerobic anoxic oxic-biological aerated filter,AAO-BAF）处理农村生活污水,探讨了氨氮容积负荷对该系统BAF单元硝化性能及出水悬浮物（SS）的影响。通过改变水力负荷和有效滤料容积（即方式1和方式）2种方式,氨氮容积负荷在0.43～1.21 kg/(m3·d)之间变化。试验结果表明,随着氨氮容积负荷的增加,氨氮去除率呈现先缓慢降低后急剧减小的趋势,不同的是,出水SS对方式1（即水力负荷的变化）更敏感。当氨氮容积负荷在0.43～1.12 kg/(m3·d)时,氨氮去除率大于81%;当氨氮容积负荷大于1.12 kg/(m3·d),氨氮去除率急剧降低,氨氮容积负荷为1.21 kg/(m3·d),2种运行方式的氨氮去除率分别为65%和68%。当氨氮容积负荷小于0.74 kg/(m3·d)时,出水SS小于10 mg/L;当氨氮容积负荷大于0.74 kg/(m3·d)时,出水SS急剧增加,但方式1增加得更快,氨氮容积负荷增加到1.21 kg/(m3·d)时,方式1和方式2的出水SS分别为21.8和14.2 mg/L。所以,为保证BAF出水水质达到国家一级A排放标准,其氨氮容积负荷应小于0.74 kg/(m3·d)。     

Effect of garlic oil on neutrophil infiltration in the small intestine of endotoxin-injected rats and its association with levels of soluble and cellular adhesion molecules

Garlic ( Allium sativum ) possesses anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the effects of garlic oil on endotoxin-induced neutrophil infiltration in the small intestine. Wistar rats received by gavage 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg body wt garlic oil (GO) or the vehicle (corn oil; 2 mL/kg body wt) every other day for 2 weeks before being injected with endotoxin (ip, 5 mg/kg body wt). Control rats were administered corn oil and injected with sterile saline. Blood samples for the measurement of soluble adhesion molecules were collected at various time points after injection, and all other samples were collected 18 h after injection. The 10 and 50 mg/kg doses suppressed endotoxin-induced neutrophilia, serum levels of sL-selectin and sICAM-1, cellular CD11b on neutrophils, intestinal ICAM-1 content, and neutrophil infiltration (P < 0.05). The 100 mg/kg dose significantly lowered local ICAM-1 and cellular CD11b on neutrophils (P < 0.05) but did not have a beneficial effect on neutrophil infiltration. In addition, 100 mg/kg of GO worsened the elevation of the local TNF-α level and neutrophilia. Appropriate doses of garlic oil have a preventive effect on endotoxin-induced neutrophil infiltration and damage to the small intestine.     

Induction of detoxication enzymes in mice by naturally occurring allyl nitrile

Little is known about whether glucosinolate-derived nitriles have the ability to increase phase 2 detoxication enzymes and glutathione (GSH) in vivo. In this study, the ability of allyl nitrile, a hydrolysis product of the glucosinolate sinigrin, to increase tissue levels of the phase 2 detoxication enzymes glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase and GSH in a variety of mouse tissues was examined. At the lowest dose level (11.8 mg/kg/day), allyl nitrile showed inductive ability in the stomach and lungs. At 23.6 mg/kg/day, the inductive effect was observed in the stomach, rectum, urinary bladder, and lungs, whereas at 47.2 mg/kg/day, it was recorded in the stomach, rectum, urinary bladder, kidneys, and lungs. These results show that allyl nitrile displays its maximum potency in the stomach and lungs, which is of interest in light of epidemiological studies demonstrating an inverse association between crucifer intake and the incidence of stomach and lung cancers.     

Effects of hydroxytyrosol and hydroxytyrosol acetate administration to rats on platelet function compared to acetylsalicylic acid

Virgin olive oil (VOO) contains the polyphenols hydroxytyrosol (HT) and hydroxytyrosol acetate (HT-AC). This study investigated the antiplatelet effect of HT and HT-AC in healthy rats and compared their effects to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). All compounds were administered orally for 7 days. HT and HT-AC inhibited platelet aggregation in whole blood, with a 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of 48.25 mg/kg per day for HT, 16.05 mg/kg per day for HT-AC, and 2.42 mg/kg per day for ASA. Platelet synthesis of thromboxane B2 was inhibited by up to 30% by HT and 37% by HT-AC; the ID50 of this effect for ASA was 1.09 mg/kg per day. Vascular prostacyclin production was inhibited by up to 27.5% by HT and 32% by HT-AC; the ID50 of this effect for ASA was 6.75 mg/kg per day. Vascular nitric oxide production was increased by up to 34.2% by HT, 66% by HT-AC, and 64% by ASA. We conclude that HT and HT-AC administered orally inhibited platelet aggregation in rats and that a decrease in thromboxane synthesis along with an increase in nitric oxide production contributed to this effect.     

Coenzyme Q9 provides cardioprotection after converting into coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has been extensively studied as adjunctive therapy for ischemic heart disease, and its cardioprotective ability is well-established. The mitochondrial respiratory chain contains several coenzymes, including CoQ1, CoQ2, CoQ4, CoQ6, CoQ7, CoQ8, CoQ9, and CoQ10. It is not known whether other CoQs, especially CoQ9, is equally cardioprotective as CoQ10. The present study was designed to determine if CoQ 9 could protect guinea pig hearts from ischemia reperfusion injury. Guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: groups I and II were fed CoQ 9 and CoQ10, respectively, for 30 days while group III served as control. After 30 days, the guinea pigs were sacrificed and isolated hearts were perfused via working mode were subjected to 30 min ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Cardioprotection was assessed by evaluating left ventricular function, ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial infarct size, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Samples of hearts were examined for the presence of CoQ9 and CoQ10. The results demonstrated that both CoQ9 and CoQ10 were equally cardioprotective, as evidenced by their abilities to improve left ventricular performance and to reduce myocardial infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis revealed that a substantial portion of CoQ9 had been converted into CoQ10. The results indicate that CoQ9 by itself, or after being converted into CoQ10, reduced myocardial ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury.     

Determination of coenzyme Q10, coenzyme Q9, and melatonin contents in virgin argan oils: comparison with other edible vegetable oils

Virgin argan oil possesses high antioxidant capacity (AC), which may be partially explained by its high content in antioxidant molecules such as polyphenols and tocopherols. However, the content in other antioxidant molecules, for example, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ(10)), coenzyme Q9 (CoQ(9)), and melatonin (Mel), which have been identified in other edible vegetable oils, have not been evaluated in virgin argan oil. Consequently, it was decided to evaluate the contents of CoQ(10), CoQ(9), and Mel in virgin argan oils and compare the results to those obtained in extra virgin olive oils and some varieties of seed oils. By the use of sensitive HPLC-EC/F methods, the results showed that virgin argan oil is a rich source of CoQ(10) and Mel, but no CoQ(9) was detected. Extra virgin olive oil showed higher levels of CoQ(10) and lower levels of Mel than virgin argan oil. Between the seed oil samples, only virgin soybean oil showed higher CoQ(10) and Mel levels than virgin argan oil. The results may be relevant for the contribution of CoQ(10) and Mel to the biological activities of virgin argan oil.     

闽西北农田生态系统中大气氮湿沉降研究

在福建省三明市将乐县连续3年定位收集湿沉降,研究闽西北地区农田生态系统大气氮素湿沉降的浓度、沉降量以及时间变化规律。结果表明:降水中TN、TIN、DON、NH4+-N和NO3--N的平均浓度分别为1.22,0.83,0.38,0.53,0.30mg/L,无机氮与有机氮的比例达到2.18,且在每次降雨中总氮的浓度均超过水体富营养化阈值(0.2mg/L)。该地区湿沉降氮输入量有明显的季节性变化,春、夏季高,秋、冬季低。在湿沉降输入氮中NH4+-N、NO3--N和DON占总氮的比例分别为43.77%,24.78%和31.45%,湿沉降以无机氮(TIN)为主,平均年无机氮(TIN)沉降量为8.71kg/hm2,占总氮(TN)沉降量的68.55%。总氮(TN)年输入量为4.17～18.00kg/hm2,平均值为12.71kg/hm2。大气中氮素湿沉降对生态环境有一定的风险。     

A 4-week repeated oral dose toxicity study of dairy fat naturally enriched in vaccenic, rumenic and α-linolenic acids in rats

Few studies have focused on the toxicological risks of dairy fat intake. A standard dairy fat (SDF) with a 70% SFA content and a naturally enriched dairy fat (EDF) in vaccenic, rumenic and α-linolenic acids and low in SFA (54%) have been examined in a 4-week repeated dose oral toxicity study as a daily dose of 2000 mg/kg bw by gavage in rats. Comparisons were established with a third group of rats (control) which did not receive fat administration. Both fats were well tolerated, and no adverse events or mortality were observed during the treatment nor after a 2-week observation period. EDF and SDF did not cause significant differences with respect to a control group in body weight gain, food consumption, clinical observations, organ weight ratios, histopathological findings and most of the hematological and biochemical parameters including total cholesterol and cholesterol fractions in plasma. In rats treated with SDF, a significant increase of triglycerides was observed as compared to the control group. By contrast, in rats treated with EDF, a significant decrease in triglycerides was detected. EDF orally administered to rats was safe, and no treatment-related toxicity was detected. The results also suggest that EDF could protect against the increase of triglyceride concentrations in plasma.     

Improvement of mitochondrial function in muscle of genetically obese rats after chronic supplementation with proanthocyanidins

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of chronic dietary supplementation of a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) at a dose of 35 mg/kg body weight on energy metabolism and mitochondrial function in the skeletal muscle of Zucker obese rats. Three groups of 10 animals each were used: lean Fa/fa lean group (LG) rats, a control fa/fa obese group (OG) of rats, and an obese supplemented fa/fa proanthocyanidins obese group (POG) of rats, which were supplemented with a dose of 35 mg GSPE/kg of body weight/day during the 68 days of experimentation. Skeletal muscle energy metabolism was evaluated by determining enzyme activities, key metabolic gene expression, and immunoblotting of oxidative phosphorylation complexes. Mitochondrial function was analyzed by high-resolution respirometry using both a glycosidic and a lipid substrate. In muscle, chronic GSPE administration decreased citrate synthase activity, the amount of oxidative phosphorylation complexes I and II, and Nrf1 gene expression, without any effects on the mitochondrial oxidative capacity. This situation was associated with lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Additionally, GSPE administration enhanced the ability to oxidize pyruvate, and it also increased the activity of enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation including cytochrome c oxidase. There is strong evidence to suggest that GSPE administration stimulates mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle specifically by increasing the capacity to oxidize pyruvate and contributes to reduced muscle ROS generation in obese Zucker rats.     

城市污泥生物干化过程的有机质转化与产水规律

城市污泥生物干化期间,微生物降解有机质产生水分,影响最终的干化效率。该研究采用自动控制技术进行城市污泥生物干化,测定了干化过程不同阶段的有机质组分转化,并通过水分平衡方程计算了污泥干化过程中堆体的产水量,研究了干化过程的产水规律。结果表明,第1次高温期是有机质降解最快的时期,日均降幅达6.68 kg/(t·d);生物干化完成时,有机质中的易降解有机质(易水解物和脂类)比例由49.91%降至37.94%,腐殖酸的比例由39.34%升至54.14%;堆体总产水量为61.80 kg/t,产水速率排序为:第1次高温期升温期第2次高温期降温期,其中第1次高温期日均产水速率达6.51 kg/(t·d),该时期也是有机质降解速率最大的时期。整个生物干化过程中,堆体产水量与蒸发量的比值为1:6.7,产水量远低于蒸发量,各阶段的产水量变化可为优化生物干化工艺提供参考。     

固定床厌氧反应器处理高浓度糖蜜废水

为开发高效处理高浓度有机废水的厌氧沼气发酵技术,以活性炭纤维作为生物膜载体,在实验室规模上对固定床厌氧反应器处理高浓度糖蜜废水的运行性能进行了研究。初始进水COD为5 000 mg/L,水力停留时间（HRT）保持在2 d左右。在进水COD为47 000 mg/L以内时,相应的有机容积负荷（OLR,COD含量）达到21.38 kg/(m3×d),COD去除率保持在86%以上,沼气容积产气率为9.51 L /(L×d),甲烷容积产气率为6.46 L /(L×d);当OLR进一步从21.38 kg/(m3×d) 逐步升高到35.13、39.06、44.88 kg/(m3×d) 时,COD去除率从86.48%分别降低到74.40%,67.02% 和63.50%,相应的沼气容积产气率为13.71,13.98和11.44 L/(L×d),甲烷容积产气率为8.84,8.67和5.89 L/(L×d)。进水的pH值通常在3.5～5.6之间,OLR低于35.13 kg/(m3×d) 时,无需对pH值进行中和调节,出水的pH值自然维持在6.8～7.6的良好状态,超出此范围,则需加碱对进水的pH值作适当调节。最终进水COD高达78 600 mg/L,相应的OLR为44.88 kg/(m3×d)。在165 d的运行过程中污泥形成量小,没有发生堵塞现象,固定床厌氧反应器表现出高效的处理酸性高浓度有机废水和较强的抗负荷冲击的能力。     

Protective effects of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract on restraint stress-induced liver damage in mice

Our experiments showed that 18 h restraint stress could induce serious liver damage, with an increase in plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level (107.68 +/- 3.19 U/L vs 18.08 +/- 1.46 U/L). Meanwhile, we observed increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and lowered oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values in plasma and liver of restraint mice compared with starved mice. Bilberry extract (containing 42.04% anthocyanins) was oral administrated to mice at 50, 100, and 200 mg/(kg x day) for five days, which remarkably decreased plasma ALT level to 17.23 +/- 2.49 U/L at the dose of 200 mg/(kg x day) and thus alleviated stress-induced liver damage. In addition, bilberry extracts increased glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C levels and significantly decreased MDA and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the liver tissues. These results suggest that bilberry extract plays an important role in protecting against restraint stress-induced liver damage by both scavenging free radicals activity and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect. This study showed the beneficial health effects of bilberry extract through its antioxidative action.     

Cancer risk to Japanese population from the consumption of inorganic arsenic in cooked hijiki

The cancer risk posed by inorganic arsenic (iAs) ingestion via the consumption of hijiki seaweed, a common Japanese food item known to accumulate pentavalent arsenic, was estimated. Fourteen households were asked to supply three portions of cooked hijiki (boiled and fried with vegetables and fried bean curd, etc.), as usually cooked and served per person in each household. The monthly consumption frequency of cooked hijiki was assessed by questionnaire: it was typically two to three times a month in most households. The mean daily consumption of cooked hijiki was estimated to be 6.5 g/day (range = 1.1-14 g/day, median = 5.5 g/day) by multiplying one serving quantity (grams) by the monthly frequency of consumption. The concentration of iAs [As(III) + As(V)] in the cooked hijiki was determined after homogenization, freeze-drying, 0.07 mol/L HCl extraction, and high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICPMS). The concentration of iAs ranged from 0.4 to 2.8 mg/kg (wet weight basis) in the cooked hijiki, and iAs intake from cooked hijiki was calculated to be 0.0005-0.023 mg/day. On the basis of these data and the oral slope factor [1.5E0 (mg/kg/day) (-1)] reported by the U.S. EPA for iAs, the mean skin cancer risk through cooked hijiki consumption was calculated to be 2.4 x 10(-4) (range = 1.6 x 10(-6) -7.0 x 10(-4)), which exceeded the acceptable level of 10(-5). Taking the risk of other cancers (bladder, lung, etc.) into consideration, the contribution to cancer occurrence through the consumption of hijiki seaweed may not be negligible.     

Effects of water-soluble hemicellulose from soybean hull on serum antibody levels and activation of macrophages in rats

Effects of soybean hull water-soluble hemicellulose (WSHC) on serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration and production of NO and IL-1beta from peritoneal macrophages were examined and compared with those of Agaricus blazei in the rat system. WSHC consisted of arabinose, galactose, xylose, glucose, and rhamnose, and the molecular weight was approximately 500000. Rats were ip administrated each sample at a dose of 0.67, 13.4, or 26.9 mg/kg/day for 14 days. The administration of WSHC resulted in significantly higher productions of IgM (p < 0.01 on day 6, p < 0.05 on day 14) and IgG (p < 0.05 on day 6) than those in other groups. When peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with various concentrations of sample (0.67, 13.4, or 26.9 mg/mL), WSHC significantly increased both NO and IL-1beta productions only at the concentration of 13.4 (mg/mL) compared with those of a saline group. These findings demonstrate that WSHC enhances humoral immunity and activation of macrophages, thereby leading to the augmentation of immune responses in rats.