Niacin,thiamin, iron and protein status of humans as affected by the consumption of tea (Camellia sinensis) infusions

The objective of the project was to determine the effects of tea (Camellia sinensis) leaf beverage consumption on the apparent utilization of niacin, thiamin, and protein in human subjects. During two randomly arranged experimental periods of 14 days each, 10 adult female human subjects were fed a constant (same foods each day), measured, laboratory-controlled diet. Tea was fed during one period while no tea was allowed during the other period. A dehydrated black tea infusion product (instant tea, 8 g/subject/day/dry weight basis) was used which subjects were allowed to dilute in water. Subjects made complete collections of urine and stools. Fasting blood samples were drawn at the end of each experimental period. No effects on protein status were demonstrated. Urinary thiamin losses were depressed with the use of tea but niacin losses were increased. Blood serum concentrations of thiamin diphosphate also were depressed during the tea drinking period as compared to values during the non-tea period. No significant effect on blood serum levels of nicotinaminde or N-methylnicotinamine were found but values tended to be lower during the tea than the non-tea period. These results suggest that tea consumption inhibits the utilization of thiamin. However, niacin availability was unaffected by tea drinking. Because of the decreased availability of thiamin, the need for niacin was depressed which caused a greater than expected urinary loss of this vitamin.Published as University of Nebraska Journal Articles Series No. 9496. Supported by University of Nebraska Agricultural Research Division Project 91-031 and U.S.D.A. C.S.R.S. Regional Project W-143.     

Discovery of Novel Diterpenoids from Sinularia arborea

Two novel diterpenoids, sinularbols A (1) and B (2), which were found to possess a new carbon skeleton were isolated from the soft coral Sinularia arborea. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and 2 displayed a moderately inhibitory effect on the generation of superoxide anion by human neutrophils.     

Krempfielins N–P,New Anti-Inflammatory Eunicellins from a Taiwanese Soft Coral Cladiella krempfi

Three new eunicellin-type diterpenoids, krempfielins N–P (1–3), were isolated from a Taiwanese soft coral Cladiella krempfi. The structures of the new metabolites were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with spectroscopic data of related known compounds. Compound 3 exhibited activity to inhibit superoxide anion generation. Both 1 and3, in particular 1, were shown to display significant anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the elastase release in FMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils.     

Klymollins T–X,Bioactive Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from the Soft Coral Klyxum molle

Five new eunicellin-based diterpenoids, klymollins T–X (1–5), along with two known compounds (6 and 7) have been isolated from the soft coral Klyxum molle. The structures of these new metabolites were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. Compound 5 was found to exert significant in vitro anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, compounds 4 and 7 were shown to exhibit cytotoxicity against a limited panel of human cancer cell lines.     

春玉米密植定额和种植方式研究

本文综合分析了淮阴地区历年来有关春玉米密植定额和种植方式的试验资料。在密植定额问题上,研究了密度与产量、品种、生产水平间的关系,并从田间小气候、植株生长发育、光能利用、群体与个体关系等方面探索了密植增产的原因;在种植方式问题上,比较了不同生产水平和不同密度下,宽窄行和等行距的效果,并从根系发育、植株性状、田间小气候、光能利用等方面分析了宽窄行减产的原因。     

Suppression effect of soy isoflavones on nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages

Genistein, daidzein, and glycitein, as primary isoflavones in soybeans, are reported to have beneficial effects on atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancers that are conducted by nitric oxide (NO) injury. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects and mechanisms of these soy isoflavones on the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) system in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Genistein, daidzein, and glycitein dose-dependently suppress NO production (IC(50) = 50 microM) in supernatants of LPS-activated macrophages as measured on the basis of nitrite accumulation. In addition, direct inhibition of iNOS activity, determined by means of the conversion of L-[(3)H]arginine to L-[(3)H]citrulline, and markedly reduced iNOS protein and mRNA levels, evaluated by means of Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively, were found in homogenates of LPS-activated cells treated with each isoflavone. Moreover, genistein was found to have a greater inhibitory effect on NO production but no significant effect on iNOS activity or protein and gene expression to daidzein and glycitein. These observations reveal that the suppression of NO production by genistein, daidzein, and glycitein might be due to the inhibition of both the activity and expression of iNOS in LPS-activated macrophages. The result suggests that soy isoflavones might attenuate excessive NO generation at inflammatory sites.     

alpha-Naphthoflavone, a potent antiplatelet flavonoid, is mediated through inhibition of phospholipase C activity and stimulation of cyclic GMP formation

The aim of this study was to systematically examine the inhibitory mechanisms of the flavonoid alpha-naphthoflavone (alpha-NF) in platelet activation. In this study, alpha-NF concentration dependently (5-20 microM) inhibited platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. alpha-NF (5 and 10 microM) inhibited intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, phosphoinositide breakdown, and thromboxane A(2) formation stimulated by collagen (1 microg/mL) in human platelets. In addition, alpha-NF (5 and 10 microM) markedly increased levels of cyclic GMP and cyclic GMP-induced vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) Ser(157) phosphorylation. Rapid phosphorylation of a platelet protein of Mr 47,000 (P47), a marker of protein kinase C activation, was triggered by phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (60 nM). This phosphorylation was markedly inhibited by alpha-NF (5 and 10 microM). However, alpha-NF (5 and 10 microM) did not reduce the electron spin resonance (ESR) signal intensity of hydroxyl radicals in collagen (1 microg/mL)-activated platelets. These results indicate that the antiplatelet activity of alpha-NF may be involved in the following pathways. (1) alpha-NF may inhibit the activation of phospholipase C, followed by inhibition of phosphoinositide breakdown, protein kinase C activation, and thromboxane A(2) formation, thereby leading to inhibition of intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization. (2) alpha-NF also activated the formation of cyclic GMP, resulting in inhibition of platelet aggregation. These results strongly indicate that alpha-NF appears to represent a novel and potent antiplatelet agent for treatment of arterial thromboembolism.     

Pretreatment with an ethanolic extract of Taiwanofungus camphoratus (Antrodia camphorata) enhances the cytotoxic effects of amphotericin B

Taiwanofungus camphoratus, a well-known Chinese medicine used in Taiwan, possesses several pharmacological functions, including anticancer effects. In the present study, we aimed to investigate a novel anticancer effect by pretreating cancer cells with an ethanolic extract of T. camphoratus (TCEE) followed by the administration of an antifungal agent amphotericin B (AmB). Both TCEE and AmB showed significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HT29 cells. Pretreatment with a nontoxic dose of TCEE enhanced the cytotoxicity of AmB. Furthermore, significant apoptotic cell death was found in cells treated with TCEE and AmB. A combination treatment with AmB plus TCEE resulted in a significant repression of tumor growth in HT29 xenografts. Collectively, our results indicated that combined treatment with AmB and TCEE effectively induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth. In the future, TCEE may serve as a potential complementary and alternative medicine to treat patients suffering from colorectal cancer.     

Chondroprotective role of sesamol by inhibiting MMPs expression via retaining NF-κB signaling in activated SW1353 cells

Overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a major pathological factor causing cartilage destruction in osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of sesamol on expression of MMPs in activated chondrosarcoma cells. Sesamol significantly attenuated TNF-α- and IL-1β-induced gelatinolysis and expression of MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner in SW1353 cells. Additionally, both MMP-1 and -13 stimulated by PMA were inhibited by sesamol. On the other hand, the NF-κB signaling activation through IκB-α degradation was restored by sesamol under TNF-α or PMA stimulation. Furthermore, this bioactive compound exerted the reduction on phosphorylation of ERK1/2 or p38 MAPKs after either PMA or IL-1β stimulation. This study also evaluated whether sesamol down-regulates MMP expression in the joint cartilage of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA in rats. Sesamol prevented the expression of MMP-1 and -9 in the cartilage of MIA-induced OA in rats. The results of this study demonstrate that sesamol inhibits cytokine- or PMA-induced MMPs expression through the signal pathways of either NF-κB or ERK/p38 MAPKs down-regulation. This study also showed that sesamol attenuates destructive factor expression in vivo, providing a potential strategy for the chondroprotective therapy in OA.     

中国南方山地羊消化道线虫体外发育的研究

本文检测中国南方亚热带山地环境因素（温度，相对湿度和降雨量）变化对羊捻转血矛线虫、环纹奥斯特线虫和粗纹食道口线虫体外发育的影响规律：捻转血矛线虫由卵至Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ期幼虫的最高育成率均在６月；育成期分别是３、５和７ｄ。环纹奥斯特线虫卵至Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ期幼虫育成率在５～７月均较高，其中Ⅰ和Ⅱ期幼虫最高育成率在６月，而Ⅲ期幼虫最高育成率在５月；育成期分别是３、５和１１ｄ。粗纹食道口线虫卵至Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ期幼虫的最高育成率均在７月；育成期分别是６、７和９ｄ。１１月至次年３月间三线虫均不能发育，而且粗纹食道口线虫于１０月停止发育。文中还讨论了三线虫的防治措施。