Haruo Sugiura

Effects of long-term moderate exercise and increase in number of daily steps on serum lipids in women: randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN21921919]

BackgroundThis study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 24-month period of moderate exercise on serum lipids in menopausal women.MethodsThe subjects (40–60 y) were randomly divided into an exercise group (n = 14) and a control group (n = 13). The women in the exercise group were asked to participate in a 90-minute physical education class once a week and to record their daily steps as measured by a pedometer for 24 months.ResultsMean of daily steps was significantly higher in the exercise group from about 6,800 to over 8,500 steps (P < 0.01). In the control group, the number of daily steps ranged from 5,700 to 6,800 steps throughout the follow-up period. A significant interaction between the exercise group and the control group in the changes og total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and TC : HDLC ratio could be observed (P < 0.05). By multiple regression analysis, the number of daily steps was related to HDLC and TC : HDLC levels after 24 months, and the changes in TC and HDLC concentrations.ConclusionsThese results suggest that daily exercise as well as increasing the number of daily steps can improve the profile of serum lipids.

Hydrophobic dipeptide Leu-Ile protects against neuronal death by inducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor synthesis

We investigated whether certain hydrophobic dipeptides, Leu‐Ile, Leu‐Pro, and Pro‐Ile, which partially resemble the site on FK506 that binds to immunophilin, could stimulate glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) synthesis in cultured neurons and found only Leu‐Ile to be an active dipeptide. Leu‐Ile protected against the death of mesencephalic neurons from wild‐type mice but not from mice lacking the BDNF or GDNF gene. Next, we examined the effects of i.p. or i.c.v. administration of Leu‐Ile on BDNF and GDNF contents. Both types of administration increased the contents of BDNF and GDNF in the striatum of mice. Also, peripheral administration of Leu‐Ile inhibited dopaminergic (DA) denervation caused by unilateral injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) into the striatum of mice. The number of rotations following a methamphetamine challenge was lower in the Leu‐Ile‐treated group than in the nontreated group. Next, we compared the calcineurin activity and immunosuppressant activity of Leu‐Ile with those of FK506. Leu‐Ile was not inhibitory toward calcineurin cellular activity in cultured neuronal cells. Furthermore, Leu‐Ile did not suppress concanavalin A (ConA)‐induced synthesis/secretion of interleukin‐2 by cultured spleen cells, suggesting that the immunosuppressant activity of Leu‐Ile may be negligible when used as a therapeutic tool for neurodegenerative diseases.

Modifying effects of maharishi amrit kalash 4 and 5 on phagocytic and digestive functions of macrophages in male icr mice

A study was carried out to examine modifying effects of Maharishi Amrit Kalash 4 (MAK 4) and Maharishi Amrit Kalash 5 (MAK 5) on phagocytic and digestive functions of macrophages in male ICR mice. Mice at 4 week of age were divided into 3 groups: no treatment group (control), MAK 4 treated group (MAK 4 group) and MAK 5 treated group (MAK 5 group). MAK 4 and MAK 5 were given p.o. at 50 mg/kg per day (5 days/week) for 7 weeks. Phagocytic function of reticuloendothelial system evaluated by the carbon clearance was enhanced by the treatment of MAK 4 and MAK 5. Superoxide anion (O2-) production of peritoneal macrophages increased significantly in both MAK 4 and MAK 5 groups. The acid phosphatase activity of peritoneal macrophages increased significantly in MAK 4 group compared to the control group, but not in MAK 5 group. The activities of β-glucuronidase and lactate dehydrogenase in both MAK 4 and MAK 5 groups increased significantly when compared to the control group. These results suggest that MAK 4 and MAK 5 promote the phagocytic and digestive functions of macrophages and have a stimulatory effect on macrophages.

Effects of Maharishi Amrit Kalash 5 as an Ayurvedic herbal food supplement on immune functions in aged mice.

BackgroundMaharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK) 5, one of the Ayurvedic food supplements, belongs to a group of substances known as Rasayana. MAK5 and other Rasayanas are believed to enhance the bodys resistance to infections and disease, and enhance longevity. In this study, we determined the effects of administration of MAK5, one of the Ayurvedic food supplements on immune functions in young and old mice.MethodsMale C3H/He N mice were divided into five groups: two no treatment groups (old control: 22-month-old and young control: 2-month-old) and three MAK5 treated groups with differing dose of MAK5. MAK5 was given p.o. at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg per day (3 days/week) for 2 months.ResultsWe found that glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages from old mice treated with MAK5 at all doses and incubated for 48 and 72 h were significantly greater than that in the control group. Nitric oxide production of peritoneal macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in old mice treated with MAK5 at all doses was significantly greater than that in the old control group, but not compared to the young control group. Stimulation index (S.I.) in old mice gavaged with MAK5 at all doses was significantly higher than that in the old control group. IL-2 production stimulated by Con A in old mice given MAK5 at all doses was significantly higher than that in the old control group. Production of IFN-γ stimulated by Con A in old mice given MAK5 at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg were significantly higher than that in the old control group. IL-4 production of splenic lymphocyte stimulated by Con A in old mice given MAK5 at dose levels of 100 and 200 mg/kg were significantly higher than that in the old control group.ConclusionThe results suggest that MAK5 suppressed the age associated glucose consumption of peritoneal macrophages and cellular immune function reduction, and that it contributes to the prevention of the immunosenescence.

A non-invasive technique for the evaluation of peripheral circulatory functions in female subjects with Raynaud’s phenomenon

Japanese women now account for 43 percent of the labor force. A number of them are involved in construction, agricultural and forestry jobs. The aim of this study was to establish a non-invasive technique for the evaluation of peripheral circulatory functions in women with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) and introduce a specific method for the assessment of vascular disturbances in females exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. The subjects of this study were 10 women with primary RP, 7 women with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) secondary to RP, and 17 females who were included as the control group. The evaluation of peripheral circulatory functions in all subjects was based on the values of finger blood flow (FBF) and finger skin temperature (FST) measured before, during and following a 5-min recovery period after the hand was immersed in cold water (5°C, 1 min). The measured values of FBF and FST of the primary RP group before and after the immersion test were significantly (p<0.01) lower compared to those of the control group. The technique applied in this study could be used as a non-invasive and tolerable technique to determine the digital circulatory functions in female subjects with RP.