-
Intake of a Japanese-Style Healthy Lunch Has Possibilities of Contributing to the Normalization of Serum Lipids and Adipokines: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial Pilot Study
Hiroko Inoue,
Ryosuke Sasaki,
Toshiko Kuwano
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
1-9
Received:
17 December 2018
Accepted:
10 January 2019
Published:
31 January 2019
Abstract: To date, the incidence of metabolic syndrome has been increasing continuously worldwide; and recently, low vegetable consumption has become a major issue of concern in Japan. Furthermore, Japan is facing a shortfall in places offering food that can help prevent metabolic syndrome. Our study was designed to determine the influence of an on-going healthy lunch on metabolic syndrome outcomes (blood pressure, serum TNF-alpha, IL-6, serum lipids) in adult middle-aged office male workers, in Japan. We conducted a non-randomized controlled trial among 38 middle-aged office male workers (control group: 7 males, intervention group: 31 males) with mostly low levels of physical activity, by providing a Japanese-style healthy lunch for 3 months (intervention group) at a workplace cafeteria. The control group consumed their habitual lunches without restriction and only the nutrient contents were assessed. Furthermore, the intervention group was divided into two (non-metabolic [non-MS] and metabolic syndrome [MS] groups) for analysis. Overall 38 males with a mean age of 47.2 ± 7.9 years were included. Abdominal circumference level (p<0.05), systolic and diastolic (p<0.05) blood pressure (p<0.01), as well as serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL-Chol), serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) (p<0.001) and interleukin (IL-6) (p<0.01) decreased significantly after intervention compared with the baseline in the intervention/non-MS group and intervention/MS groups. Furthermore, ghrelin (p<0.001) and desacyl ghrelin (p<0.05) increased significantly after intervention compared with the baseline in the intervention/non-MS group and intervention/MS groups. These showed an effective outcome, demonstrated by the ongoing intake of a Japanese-style healthy lunch, of decreased blood pressure, serum TNF-α, IL-6, serum LDL-Chol and total cholesterol. This study presents new empirical data based on an original intervention program showing that the consumption of a Japanese-style healthy lunch containing many vegetables can help prevent and/or improve metabolic syndrome. The findings of this study could also lead to the opportunity for participants to practice following healthy menus at home. We therefore consider that this is valuable in promoting improvement in diet in the food environment at the workplace.
Abstract: To date, the incidence of metabolic syndrome has been increasing continuously worldwide; and recently, low vegetable consumption has become a major issue of concern in Japan. Furthermore, Japan is facing a shortfall in places offering food that can help prevent metabolic syndrome. Our study was designed to determine the influence of an on-going hea...
Show More
-
Lactulose Crystals Beneficially Affect Community Composition Along Entire Human Colon in Vitro, Resulting in Donor-Dependent Prebiotic Effects at Metabolic Level
Cindy Duysburgh,
Pieter Van Den Abbeele,
Melanie Bothe,
John Stover,
Angelika Kuchinka-Koch,
Susann Schwejda-Guettes,
Massimo Marzorati
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
10-22
Received:
12 February 2019
Accepted:
20 March 2019
Published:
29 April 2019
Abstract: A validated in vitro gut model (i.e. SHIME®) was used to assess the effect of repeated daily administration of lactulose on microbial metabolic activity and community composition in different colonic areas, with the focus on inter-individual differences among three human subjects. An initial rise in acetate and lactate levels was observed in the proximal colon after lactulose administration, which could be linked to an overall strong bifidogenic effect as well as higher Lactobacilli levels in donors 2 and 3. Particularly two operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium longum increased with lactulose addition. The enhanced acetate and lactate production subsequently stimulated microbial species involved in cross-feeding interactions, resulting in the donor-dependent production of propionate and/or butyrate. Additionally, a reduction in markers of proteolytic fermentation was detected upon lactulose supplementation. A wide spectrum of propionate- and especially butyrate-producing microbes, such as the next-generation probiotics Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Akkermansia muciniphila, were donor-dependently enhanced in the distal colon, which is of specific interest as many colonic diseases originate in the distal part of the colon. For the first time beneficial effects of lactulose on the microbiota as well as metabolic activity could be demonstrated over the entire colon in vitro.
Abstract: A validated in vitro gut model (i.e. SHIME®) was used to assess the effect of repeated daily administration of lactulose on microbial metabolic activity and community composition in different colonic areas, with the focus on inter-individual differences among three human subjects. An initial rise in acetate and lactate levels was observed in the pr...
Show More
-
Sampling for Genetically Modified Organisms Content Analysisin Agricultural Products: From Analytical Sample to Test Portion
Jing Xu,
Jiang Zheng,
Lu Gao,
Jijuan Cao
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2019
Pages:
23-29
Received:
12 March 2019
Accepted:
27 April 2019
Published:
23 May 2019
Abstract: Objective: At present, Sampling standards and regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMO) are commonly based on theoretical calculations or computer simulations, and there is a lack of field data to validate these simulations. In view of this situation, we sampled agricultural products for GMO content analysis, and investigated the influence of various factors on the accuracy of the results. We have prepared a three-part series and in this part focused on the process from analytical sample to test portions. Method: Using non-transgenic maize as matrix, 12 lines of transgenic maize were used to produce standard analytical samples. After systematic sampling, the GMO contents of these samples were randomly tested, and their single relative standard deviations (RSD) were calculated as a measure of total RSD (single analysis) per sample. Results: By comparing the RSDs of various sampling methods, it was found that the results of 12 strains were basically consistent, and the data of MON810 were listed as a representative. The parameters affecting the standard deviation included the content (aAS), particle size (dAS), test portion mass (MTP) and the number of increments (nIT). Total analytical RSD could be reduced by decreasing particle size, and increasing test portion mass or the number of increments. Based on current laboratory testing conditions and current used kits, for high content analytical sample(>0.01%), more than 2 duplicate test portions with at least -100mesh particle size and 200mg mass were recommended. Conclusion: Based on the results, the recommended values of particle size, test portion mass and the number of increments for the process from analytical sample to test portions were given. These factors were independent on species or strains of the product, so the results were suitable to all species and strains, provided that the solid particles could be crushed to required particle size.
Abstract: Objective: At present, Sampling standards and regulations for genetically modified organisms (GMO) are commonly based on theoretical calculations or computer simulations, and there is a lack of field data to validate these simulations. In view of this situation, we sampled agricultural products for GMO content analysis, and investigated the influen...
Show More
