Kengo Ishihara

A single oral administration of conjugated linoleic acid enhanced energy metabolism in mice.

We investigated the effect of a single oral administration of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on energy metabolism in mice. Male Std ddY mice were orally administered CLA (5 mL/kg weight) or linoleic acid (5 mL/kg weight) (both solutions at concentrations of 73.5%) as a control. Oxygen consumption was significantly greater in the CLA-administered mice than in the control mice. Respiratory quotient was slightly lower in the CLA-administered mice than in the control mice. We calculated fat and carbohydrate oxidation from oxygen consumption and respiratory quotient. Fat oxidation in the CLA-administered mice was significantly higher than in the control mice, and there was no difference in carbohydrate oxidation. Serum concentrations of noradrenalin and adrenalin in the CLA administered mice were significantly higher than in the control mice. These results suggested that CLA enhanced sympathetic nervous activity and energy metabolism.

Supplementation with chromium picolinate recovers renal Cr concentration and improves carbohydrate metabolism and renal function in type 2 diabetic mice

To study the preventive effect of supplemented chromium picolinate (CrPic) on the development of diabetic nephropathy in mice, we analyzed the effects of CrPic supplementation on renal function and concentrations of serum glucose and tissue chromium (Cr). In experiment 1, male KK-Ay obese diabetic mice were fed either a control diet (control) or a diet supplemented with 2 mg/kg diet (Cr2) or 10 mg/kg diet (Cr10) of Cr for 12 wk. Cr10 significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia after a glucose load, creatinine clearance rates, and urinary microalbumin levels (p<0.05). In experiment 2, the Cr10 diet was fed to male KK-Ay obese diabetic mice and C57BL nondiabetic mice for 4 wk. The CrPic diet reduced urinary albumin excretion in the diabetic mice (p<0.05). Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the renal Cr content and the recovery of renal Cr concentration after Cr supplementation were significantly lower in the diabetic mice than in the nondiabetic mice (p<0.01). These observations suggest that Cr supplementation of type 2 diabetic mice reduces the symptoms of hyperglycemia and improves the renal function by recovering renal Cr concentration.

Protocol for Measuring the Endurance Capacity of Mice in an Adjustable-current Swimming Pool

We re-examined the methods used in an adjustable-current swimming pool for evaluating the endurance capacity of mice to improve the sensitivity and reproducibility. We found that the BALB/c strain was most suitable to minimize the variation in time taken to swim to the point of fatigue. We found that precise adjustment of the apparatus and the use of three primary swimming trials to select mice before a study made the swimming time more uniform. This procedure was used to establish a more precise evaluation protocol.

Use of 13C-labeled glucose for measuring exogenous glucose oxidation in mice.

The author modified a respiratory gas analyzer to analyze the respiratory 13CO2 of 12 small laboratory animals all at once. To investigate the practical use of this system, mice were orally (OR) or intravenously (IV) given glucose solutions containing three different amounts of 13C-labeled glucose. Expired 13CO2 derived from exogenous glucose was detected within 10 minutes after administration in OR mice, but about 30 minutes in IV mice. The height of the peak of 13CO2 expiration was correlated with the administered 13C-glucose mass.

Amino Acid Composition of Soybean Protein Increased Postprandial Carbohydrate Oxidation in Diabetic Mice

The effects of an amino acid mixture simulating dietary soybean protein on the postprandial energy metabolism was investigated using type II diabetic mice. KK-Ay strain mice were fed restrictive isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets (35% of energy as protein and 5% as fat) based on either casein, soybean protein isolate hydrolysate (SPI-H), SPI-HET (ethanol unsoluble fraction of SPI-H), SPI-AA and casein-AA (amino acid mixtures simulating SPI-H and casein). To measure dietary carbohydrate oxidation, the animals were fed a diet containing 13C-glucose. Postprandial respiratory quotient and expired 13CO2 were higher in the SPI-AA than in the casein-AA group, as the differences were similarly observed in mice fed SPI-H and casein diet. No significant differences were observed in the postprandial respiratory quotient and expired 13CO2 between the SPI-H and SPI-HET group. In conclusion, this study on food-restricted mice indicates that the amino acid mixtures simulating SPI-H or casein could affect postprandial energy metabolism in diabetic mice, as observed in those fed SPI-H or casein in the form of peptide or protein.

Electrolyte-free milk protein solution influences sodium and fluid retention in rats

Milk is an effective post-exercise rehydration drink that maintains the net positive fluid balance. However, it is unclear which components are responsible for this effect. We assessed the effect of milk protein solution (MPS) obtained by dialysis on body fluid retention. Milk, MPS, milk electrolyte solution (MES), sports drink and water were administered to male Wistar rats at a dose of 6 ml/rat after treadmill exercise. Total body fluid retention was assessed by urine volume 4 h after administration of hydrating liquids. The rate of gastric emptying was evaluated by a tracer method using 13C-labelled acetate. Plasma osmolality, Na and K levels, and urinary Na and K were measured by HPLC and osmometry, respectively. The gastric emptying rate was not delayed by MPS. During 4 h of rehydration, cumulative urine volumes differed significantly between treatment groups (P < 0·05) with 4·9, 2·2 and 3·4 ml from water-, milk- and MPS-fed rats, respectively. Thus, MPS elicited 50 % of the total body fluid retention of milk. Plasma aldosterone levels were significantly higher in MPS- and milk-fed rats compared with water-fed rats. Plasma osmolality was maintained at higher levels in MPS-fed rats than in water- and MES-fed rats (P < 0·05). Cumulative urine Na excretion was also suppressed in the milk- and MPS-fed groups compared with the MES-fed group. Our results demonstrate that MPS obtained by dialysis clearly affects net body water balance without affecting gastric emptying after exercise. This effect was attributed to retention of Na and water, and maintenance of plasma osmolality.