A novel HPLC method for glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase assay using fluorescence labeled insulin

The activity of rat liver glutathione-insulin transhydrogenase (GIT) was measured by HPLC. The degradation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-I (FITC-I)-labeled insulin is separated into several peaks, which are bound different amount of FITC-I. We selected mono-fluorescein-thiocarbamylated insulin to estimate the decrease of insulin content and it became possible to assay GIT activity. This novel method was time-saving and simple, and this system could utilize instead of previous method.     

Clinical pharmacokinetics of oseltamivir and its active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate after oral administration in horses

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) in horses (n=6) after oral administration of its prodrug oseltamivir. The binding rate of OC to horse plasma proteins was negligible (<1%). Oral administration of oseltamivir of 2 mg/kg body weight of oseltamivir to horses provided a plasma concentration of OC (mean maximum concentration: 257.9 ng/ml) above the inhibitory concentrations against equine influenza A viruses determined in vitro. However, because OC is rapidly eliminated from horse plasma (mean elimination half-life: 2.5 hr), administration intervals should be less than 10 hr to retain a suitable concentration when using a single dose of 2 mg/kg oseltamivir.     

The Effect of Methanolic Valeriana officinalis Root Extract on Adipocyte Differentiation and Adiponectin Production in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ and its endocrine function is closely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) exerts some...     

Effect of bleeding on the quality of amberjack Seriola dumerili and red sea bream Pagrus major muscle tissues during iced storage

The effect of bleeding on white muscle quality in amberjack and red sea bream was evaluated by measuring ATP-related compounds, volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), and the trimethylamine (TMA) content. The freshness was evaluated by the K value, and the degree of spoilage was elucidated by VBN and TMA. ATP was rapidly converted to ADP and AMP in the muscle and IMP was the main product of ATP degradation during iced storage. For both species, the IMP content was higher in the muscles of fish that were bled than in those unbled during iced storage. Conversely, the K value and the levels of hypoxanthine (Hx) and VBN were higher in the muscle tissue of unbled fish than in the bled tissue of both species. Similarly, the TMA content was higher in the unbled muscle tissues of both species after a week of storage.     

Kinetics of molecular encapsulation of 1-methylcyclopropene into alpha-cyclodextrin

1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an ethylene inhibiting regulator, is commercially available in the form of an inclusion complex with alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD). In this study, molecular encapsulation of gaseous 1-MCP into aqueous alpha-CD was investigated in a closed, agitated vessel with a flat gas-liquid interface. Molecular encapsulation of gaseous 1-MCP by alpha-CD is a simultaneous two-step reaction which involves the aqueous dissolution of gaseous 1-MCP and the encapsulation of the dissolved molecules by alpha-CD. The kinetics and mechanism of molecular encapsulation were analyzed based on the depletion rate of 1-MCP in the headspace of the vessel. The encapsulation rates could be explained quantitatively by the gas absorption theory with a pseudo-first-order reaction between 1-MCP and alpha-CD. The negative value of the calculated apparent activation energy of encapsulation (-24.4 kJ/mol) implied the significant effect of exothermic aqueous dissolution of 1-MCP. An encapsulation temperature of 15 degrees C was optimal; at this temperature, the highest 1-MCP yield and best inclusion ratio of inclusion complex were obtained. Changes in the X-ray diffraction pattern suggested that the crystal lattice structure of alpha-CD was altered upon inclusion of 1-MCP.     

Annual net production of the five Sargassaceae species in Yoro,western Wakasa Bay,Sea of Japan

ABSTRACT:   Annual net production of the five Sargassaceae species was investigated in Yoro, western Wakasa Bay, Sea of Japan. The Sargassaceae species were collected at a depth of 2.0–2.5 m and subjected to stratified clipping for 13 months. Annual net production was estimated at 2407 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum patens , 2132 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum macrocarpum , 1458 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum siliquastrum , 1197 g dry wt/m² for Myagropsis myagroides , and 1471 g dry wt/m² for Sargassum piluliferum . The ratio of annual net production to maximum biomass (P/B_max) for these species ranged between 1.3 and 1.7, being higher than in previous studies which used the same method. Winter storms with strong wave exposure and relatively calm condition in Yoro were considered to augment P/B_max. The total losses estimated from the different units of stratified clipping were compared. If larger and less segregated units were applied, the total loss would decrease. It was suggested that a 50 cm stratum would be applicable to the larger species (3 m or longer) and a stratum of 20 cm or less would be applicable to mid-sized or smaller species (less than 3 m).     

Characterization of vitamin B12 compounds from commercially available fish roe products

Although fish roes (or the egg-laden ovary) are seafood products with high nutritional value and are considered abundant in vitamins including vitamin B₁₂, nevertheless, the detailed properties of vitamin B₁₂ have not been fully elucidated in fish roe products. Vitamin B₁₂ content was determined using C18-reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after purification of samples from immunoaffinity columns. Salmon egg-laden ovary products (sujiko), salmon roe products (ikura), dried mullet roe products (bottarga), and white sturgeon roe products (caviar) were found to contain substantial levels of vitamin B₁₂ (more than approximately 15 µg/100 g wet weight). Interestingly, high levels of vitamin B₁₂ per 100 g wet weight have been measured in pollack roe products (tarako) and flying fish roe products (tobiko). Liquid chromatography–electrospray-ionization/tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that vitamin B₁₂ was the predominant corrinoid in the evaluated fish roe products examined, while no inactive corrinoid compounds were identified. These results suggest that commercially available fish roe products could be an important source of vitamin B₁₂ for use as a dietary product for humans.

     

中国东北大豆与日本大豆品种PEPCase基因的多态性

Soybeans in Northeast of China are one of the most importantgenetic resources in the world.In order to use themeffectively insoybean breeding,it is necessary to evaluate the maincharacteristics,especially the quality characteristics such as seedprotein content.It is reported that the PEPCase activity in soybeanseeds is positively correlated with the seed protein content andnegatively correlated with the lipid content[1].PEPCase is alsopresent in seeds of different species[2~4],and may play…