In vivo metabolism of Talosin A, new isoflavonol glycoside from Kitasatospora kifunensis, in rats

The isoflavonol glycoside Talosin A, genistein (GT)-7-α-L-6-deoxy talopyranose (GT-Tal), was first isolated from the culture broth of Kitasatospora kifunensis MJM341. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral absorption and metabolism of the newly isolated isoflavonol glycoside, GT-Tal compared to genistin (GT-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside; GT-Glu). Free GT-Glu and GT-Tal could not be detected prior to enzymatic hydrolysis of the corresponding conjugates in rat plasma. Following oral administration of GT-Tal (15 min), GT-Tal was rapidly absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized into GT-Tal conjugates with a mean C_max of 2.74 µg/mL. GT-Tal was further metabolized to its aglycone, free GT and conjugated GT. After oral administration, GT-Glu was absorbed after being convereted to its aglycone and then further metabolized into its conjugate metabolites (free GT with a mean C_max of 0.24 mg/mL at 1.25 h; conjugated GT with a mean C_max of 1.31 mg/mL at 2.00 h). Significant differences in absorption and metabolism of GT-Tal and GT-Glu were observed. GT-Tal was metabolized into its corresponding conjugates or underwent deglycosylation to form GT, whereas GT-Glu was metabolized into its aglycone, GT.     

Effect of night humidity on the vegetative growth and the mineral composition of tomato and strawberry plants

Conditions of low night humidity (50–55%) and high night humidity (90–95%) were imposed on tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Young-Kwang) for 30 days, and on strawberry plants (Fragaria grandiflora Ehrh. cv. Bogyo) for 40 days. Shoot dry weight and leaf area in tomato plants increased with high night humidity whereas the strawberry plants did not show any such increases. The concentrations of five major nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) were reduced in tomato plants under high night humidity, with the calcium content in younger leaves being the most severely affected. For the strawberry plants, however, high night humidity tended to increase the concentrations of major nutrients, including calcium in the younger leaves. Possible reasons for the differences in response of these two species to night humidity are discussed.     

Galanin-immunoreactive cells and their relation to calcitonin gene-related peptide-, substance P- and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells in rat lumbar dorsal root ganglia

We report upon the distribution of galanin-immunoreactive (GAL-IR) cells in the lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the rat, and upon the distribution of GAL-IR cells, which also contain calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, substance P (SP)- and somatostatin (SOM)-immunoreactivity. Neuropeptide-immunoreactive lumbar DRG cells were 55.8% for CGRP, 12.7% for SP, and 6.5% for GAL in lumbar DRG cells. There was no significant difference between the right and left DRGs (L1-L6) for any neuropeptide-immunoreactive cell (P < 0.01). In terms of size distribution, CGRP-immunoreactive cells were identified below 1500 microm2, and SP-, and GAL-IR cells below 600 microm2. Neuropeptide immunoreactive cells showed various immunoreactivities in the cytoplasm according to each neuropeptide. CGRP and SP immunoreactive cells were colocalized with GAL immunoreactive cells in the serial sections about 83.3 and 60% respectively, but SOM colocalizing with GAL-IR cells were not in evidence. The current results confirm and extend previous results, and show that neuropeptides can coexist in single sensory neurones of the rat DRG. In addition, our results demonstrate that the normal distribution of some neurotransmitters modulating sensory action in Wistar Kyoto rat, make this model more prone to develop neuropathic pain than Sprague-Dawley rat.     

Silk fibroin hydrolysate exerts an anti-diabetic effect by increasing pancreatic β cell mass in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice

Components of silk including silk fibroin have long been used as anti-diabetic remedies in oriental medicine. However, detailed mechanisms underlying these anti-diabetic effects remain unclear. In this study, we examined the anti-diabetic activity of silk fibroin hydrolysate (SFH) in C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice, a well-known animal model of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. When the db/db mice were administered SFH in drinking water for 6 weeks, hyperglycemia in the animals gradually disappeared and the level of glycosylated hemoglobin decreased, indicating that SFH plays important role in reducing the symptoms of diabetes. In addition, SFH-treated db/db mice exhibited improved glucose tolerance with increased plasma insulin levels. Immunohistochemical and morphological analyses showed that SFH up-regulated insulin production by increasing pancreatic β cell mass in the mice. In summary, our results suggest that SFH exerts anti-diabetic effects by increasing pancreatic β cell mass in a non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus mouse model.     

Morphological characteristics of C1 and C2 adrenergic neurone groups in marmoset monkey brainstem by using antibody against phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase

This work describes a mapping study of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) immunoreactive neurones and fibres in the medulla oblongata of the marmoset monkey, Callithrix jacchus. Two groups of PNMT-immunoreactive neurones were found in the marmoset monkey medulla oblongata: a ventrolateral (C1 group) and a dorsomedial PNMT-immunoreactive cells group (C2 group). The PNMT-immunoreactive cells in the ventrolateral group C1 were found to be located around the lateral reticular nucleus. The PNMT-immunoreactive somata within the ventrolateral medulla are round to oval, and mostly multipolar with branched processes. In the dorsomedial group C2, PNMT-immunoreactive cell bodies appeared near the obex. The majority of the dorsomedial PNMT-immunoreactive neurones were observed in the nucleus tractus solitarius; although some were present in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. The PNMT-immunoreactive somata in the dorsomedial medulla were small and round or ovoid. These results provide information upon the adrenergic system in the medulla oblongata of a species that presents a useful model of a small primate brain, the marmoset monkey.     

Protective Effects of Platycodon grandiflorum Aqueous Extract on Thioacetamide-induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure in Mice

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective activity of aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum (BC703) on thioacetamide (TA)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. We found that BC703 significantly decreased mortality and the change in serum transaminase following TA administration. The group treated with BC703 at doses of 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg produced significant hepatoprotective effects against TA-induced liver damage by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation in dose-dependent manners. Histopathological studies further substantiated the protective effect of BC703. These results show the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract from Platycodon grandiflorum on thioacetamide-induced fulminant hepatic failure.