Masaru Yoneyama

Serological tests for monitoring Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment.

Metabolic interaction between the intestinal microflora and the host has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Elemental or low-fat, low-residual diets in patients with Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis are reported to decrease anaerobic bacteria and to change the composition of the intestinal microflora. We examined the effect of an indigestible agent, 4G-β-d-galactosylsucrose (lactosucrose), which is selectively utilized by intestinalBifidobacterium, on the composition of the intestinal microflora. After the administration of lactosucrose to two patients with Crohns disease and five patients with ulcerative colitis for 2 weeks, significant induction of the growth ofBifidobacterium was observed, and significant reduction in the population level of Bacteroidaceae was seen. Bowel movements improved in four patients. The intestinal environment, estimated by measuring fecal pH, fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids and putrid products, and the urinary secretion of indican, also improved in these patients. These results suggest that lactosucrose may be useful for patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.Metabolic interaction between the intestinal microflora and the host has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Elemental or low-fat, low-residual diets in patients with Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis are reported to decrease anaerobic bacteria and to change the composition of the intestinal microflora. We examined the effect of an indigestible agent, 4G-β-d-galactosylsucrose (lactosucrose), which is selectively utilized by intestinalBifidobacterium, on the composition of the intestinal microflora. After the administration of lactosucrose to two patients with Crohns disease and five patients with ulcerative colitis for 2 weeks, significant induction of the growth ofBifidobacterium was observed, and significant reduction in the population level of Bacteroidaceae was seen. Bowel movements improved in four patients. The intestinal environment, estimated by measuring fecal pH, fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids and putrid products, and the urinary secretion of indican, also improved in these patients. These results suggest that lactosucrose may be useful for patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

The crystal structure and physicochemical properties of l-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside

The stable L-ascorbic acid glucoside produced by the action of the cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) from Bacillus stearothermophilus was crystallized from an aqueous solution. Determination of the molecular structure by single crystal X-ray analysis showed the compound to be 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G). The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell dimensions a = 11.929 A, b = 24.351 A, and c = 4.864 A. The D-glucopyranose residue has the 4C1 conformation. These conclusions are in good agreement with those based on the 13C-NMR spectrum. The general physicochemical properties of crystalline AA-2G are reported.