Manabu Tobisa

Dietary CLA and DHA modify skin properties in mice

This study investigated the influence of PUFA on the properties of mouse skin. Mice (3 wk old) were given free access to oils high in linoleic acid, CLA, or DHA for 4 wk. At the end of the experiment, their skins were compared by both biochemical and histological methods. No significant differences in lipid and collagen contents were detected among treatments, although the FA composition in the skin was altered depending upon the FA composition of the supplemented oils. Electron microscopy revealed that the subcutaneous tissue layers in the CLA and DHA groups were significantly thinner than that in the high linoleic acid group, whereas no differences in the thickness of dermis layers were observed among the three groups. These results suggest that skin properties in mice are readily modified by dietary FA sources within 4 wk of dietary oil supplementation.

Enhancement of Plasma Calcium Concentration by Dietary Calcium Sources and Oligosaccharides in Neonatal Chicks

Abstract Yamashita, T., Tobisa, M., Ohgushi, A. and Furuse, M. 2001. Enhancement of plasma calcium concentration by dietary calcium sources and oligosaccharides in neonatal chicks. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 19: 25–32. The effects of dietary calcium (Ca) sources and several oligosaccharides on plasma Ca concentration were examined in the neonatal cluck. In the first experiment, the efficiency of Ca carbonate and eggshell Ca teas compared by determining plasma Ca concentration at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min post oral administration. It was significantly higher in the eggshell Ca treatment than in the Ca carbonate treatment and the peak for plasma Ca concentration was obtained at 30 min. The effect of dietary oligosaccharides on plasma Ca concentration was investigated by nsmg isomaito-oligosaccharides, gentiooligosaccharides and nigerooligosaccharides with Ca carbonate. In the second experiment Nigerooligosaccharides enhanced plasma Ca concentration when compared with other treatments. The efficacy of lactose and nigerooligosaccharides on plasma Ca concentration was compared in the third experiment, but no significant, difference was detected between them. These results suggested that plasma Ca concentration of the neonatal chick can be modified, by dietary Ca sources and the supplementation with specific oligosaccharides.