Ming-Fu Wang

Antioxidant and cognitive promotion effects of anthocyanin-rich mulberry (Morus atropurpurea L.) on senescence-accelerated mice and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

In the present study, we evaluated the beneficial effect of mulberry extracts (ME), which are rich in phenolics and anthocyanins, on the induction of antioxidant enzymes and on the promotion of cognition in senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP). Six-month old SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.18% and 0.9% ME for consecutive 12 weeks. The results showed that the mice fed the ME supplement demonstrated significantly less amyloid beta protein and showed improved learning and memory ability in avoidance response tests. ME-treated mice showed a higher antioxidant enzyme activity and less lipid oxidation in both the brain and liver, as compared to the control mice. Furthermore, treatment with ME decreased the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, triglyceride and total cholesterol that increase with ageing. The hepatoprotective effect of ME appeared to occur through a mechanism related to regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases and activation of the nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2, where the latter regulates the induction of phase 2 antioxidant enzymes and reduction of oxidative damage. Overall, supplementation of ME might be advantageous to the induction of an antioxidant defense system and for the improvement of memory deterioration in ageing animals.

Role of nucleosides and nucleotides in the immune system, gut reparation after injury, and brain function

Emerging evidence indicates the importance of nucleosides and nucleotides in the maintenance of functions of the bone marrow hematopoietic cells, intestinal mucosa, and the brain, which have limited de novo synthesis of purine and pyrimidine bases. We have found that nucleosides and nucleotides stimulate hemopoieses and increase peripheral neutrophil counts in mice treated with cyclophosphoamide. Intraperitoneal administration of nucleosides and nucleotides decreased bacterial translocation, the number of colony-forming units, and increased survival against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In vitro immune studies in mice showed that nucleosides and nucleotides increase the delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity and the popliteal lymph node blastogenic response to antigens, allogens, and mitogens. Both intraperitoneal and oral administration of nucleosides and nucleotides reduced endotoxin-induced bacterial translocation and improved injury to the gut in protein-deficient mice. However, oral administration of nucleosides and nucleotides in experimental colitis resulted in a worsening of colitic conditions and increased interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations in inflamed colonic portions, indicating the pro-inflammatory activities of nucleosides and nucleotides. Memory-deficient senescence-accelerated mice and mice with dementia showed improved memory with dietary nucleosides and nucleotides supplementation. These results indicate that supplementation with nucleosides and nucleotides is beneficial to the functions of the system and the brain. However, beneficial effects to the gut appear to depend on the type of damage sustained by the gut.

Nanonized black soybean enhances immune response in senescence-accelerated mice

Soy isoflavones may have applications in cancer prevention and anti-inflammation, therefore this study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with black soybean on the immune response in the senescence-accelerated-prone mice (SAMP8) and -resistant mice (SAMPR1, as controls). The mechanism of isoflavones was also investigated. Six-month-old male SAMP8 and SAMR1 mice were divided into the control groups and experimental groups supplemented with nanonized (Nano-soy) or microparticled (Micro-soy) black soybeans (n = 8/group), respectively for 12 weeks. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and murine splenocytes were stimulated with mitogens and cytokines were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and/or ELISA. The results showed that body weight, food intake, and relative weights of organs did not differ among the SAMP8 control and experimental groups. Isoflavone (daidzin and genistin) intake was higher in the Nano-soy group than the Micro-soy group. The lymphoproliferation and production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the Nano-soy group had a significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the control and Micro-soy groups. The Nano-soy supplemented mice reached these cytokine levels similar to SAMR1 mice. This result was consistent with the in vitro data that daidzein (a metabolite of daidzin), at a concentration of 10 μM, increased IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ production from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMC (P < 0.05). However at higher concentrations (> 50 μM), daidzein only reduced IL-10 and IFN-γ levels, whereas genistein reduced levels of the IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ mRNA and protein and these results suggest that the Nano-soy supplementation improved immune response in SAMP8 mice which may be attributable to higher daidzin content in the black soybean preparation.

Effects of Ganoderma on aging and learning and memory ability in senescence accelerated mice

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Ganoderma on aging, learning and memory ability in senescence accelerated mice (SAMP8). Six-month-old SAMP8 mice were divided into four groups: control and three experimental groups supplemented with 0.3%, 0.6% or 1.8% Ganoderma for 12 weeks. Body weight, food intake, aging score, open field test and active shuttle avoidance tests were performed during the experiment. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-Rd) of RBC, brain and liver, and the amyloid of brain were analyzed after sacrificed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the body weight, food intake and locomotion among four groups. The aging score of 0.6% and 1.8% Ganoderma groups were significantly lower than that of the control group ( p Ganoderma groups at the fourth day were significantly better than control group in the female groups ( p Ganoderma groups had significantly higher activities of SOD, GSH-Px and GSH-Rd, and lower brain amyloid when compared with the control group ( p Ganoderma may improve learning and memory ability and promote the activities of antioxidation.

Effects of dietary nucleoside-nucleotide mixture on memory in aged and young memory deficient mice

Intestinal mucosa, bone marrow hematopoietic cells and brain have limited capacity for the de novo synthesis of nucleosides (NSs) and nucleotides (NTs). Whereas the role of dietary NS and NT in the former two tissues is known, it is not known in the brain. Therefore we studied the effect of dietary NS and NT mixture on memory in aged mice (Experiment 1) and young memory deficient mice (Experiment 2). Memory retention was studied by step-through type passive avoidance performance (maximum 180 seconds). In Experiment 1 aged (7 month old) senescence accelerated mice (SAM) were fed 20% casein diet (control) or this diet supplemented with 0.5% NS/NT mixture for 12 weeks. Memory was studied 1, 2 and 3 days after the electric shock (punishment). In Experiment 2, young (1 month old) memory deficient mice (Dull mice) and normal mice (ddY mice) were fed the same diets as those in Experiment 1 for 12 weeks. Memory retention was studied 1 and 3 days after the punishment. In the aged SAM the average time of avoidance and also the percentages of successful memory 2 and 3 days after the punishment were significantly higher in the NS/NT diet group than the control diet group (P < 0.05). In the Dull mice percentage of successful memory was higher in the NS/NT diet group than in the control group 3 days after the punishment, however, such an effect was not observed in the normal mice. These results suggest that insufficient endogenous supply of NSs and NTs may be responsible for the factor of memory deficiency with aging or of genetical memory deficiency, which can be improved by the dietary administration of NSs and NTs.

Effect of One Week Treatment with Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb761) on Ischemia-Induced Infarct Volume in Gerbils

The present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGb761) in male gerbils subjected to focal cerebral ischemia produced by permanent occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery. In this study, gerbils were fed standard chow with or without EGb761 (100 mg/kg/day, i.g.) prior to cerebral ischemia for 1 week. Gerbils were anesthetized and craniectomized to expose the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). The right MCA was constricted with an 8-0 suture to produce a permanent ligation. Infarct volume was assessed by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride) staining 24 hours after initiation of cerebral ischemia. Results showed that the EGb761 group had significant reduction of infarct volume 4 and 6 mm from the frontal pole by 40% and 30%, respectively when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Mean locomotor activity of gerbils was reduced 24 hours after the occlusion of the MCA in both groups. However, there was no difference in locomotor activity between groups either 30 minutes before or 24 hours after the occlusion (p > 0.05).

Mutagenic Safety and Fatty Liver Improvement of Nanonized Black Soybeans in Senescence‐Accelerated Prone‐8 Mice

Nanotechnology, as a new enabling technology, has the potential to revolutionize food systems. However, much attention has been focused on nanoparticle foods due to their potential physiological properties. This study was aimed to evaluate the mutagenic safety and fatty liver improvement of black soybean in senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8). The mutagenic activity of black soybeans was investigated using the Ames test (Salmonella Typhimurium TA98, 100, 102, and 1535). Furthermore, senescence-accelerated prone-8 mice (SAMP8) have been reported to display spontaneous fatty liver. Male SAMP8 mice were divided into control and supplemented with 10% micronized or nanonized black soybeans diet and fed for 12 wk. The results revealed that the Ames test of micronized and nanonized black soybeans exhibited no mutagenicity. Administration of black soybeans to mice showed no effects on food intake and body and organ weights. The nanonized black soybean group had a lower degree of spontaneous fatty liver, alanine aminotransferase, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance concentrations, and had enhanced superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities of livers when compared with the SAMP8 control and micronized black soybean groups. The mice fed with black soybeans had significantly lower triglyceride concentrations than the SAMP8 control group. The results of this study suggest that nanonized black soybeans have no side effects and, moreover, may minimize liver lesions in SAMP8 mice.

Influence of time lag in amino acid absorption on nitrogen retention in rats

Abstract Depending on the form of nitrogen sources, there is a time lag in amino acid absorption. However, the influence of such a time lag on nitrogen retention is not known. In the present experiment we created a time lag in amino acid absorption and observed nitrogen retention in rats. Two unbalanced amino acid mixtures were prepared. The equal amount of combination of these mixtures makes the amino acid pattern of egg protein. Rats were given these two unbalanced amino acid mixture diets alternatively at 08:00–09:30 hr, 11:00–12:30 hr, 14:00–15:30 hr, and 17:00–18:30 hr for 14 days. Control rats were given egg-protein-pattern amino acid mixture diet at the same time and periods as the experimental group. Dietary amino acid levels were 5% and 10%. Although the control and experimental rats ate similar amounts of each amino acid, there was a time lag in the amino acid absorption. Plasma aminograms, hematologic values, body protein concentration, and growth were very similar. The results indicate that nitrogen utilization is not influenced by a relatively small time lag in amino acid absorption.

Ameliorative effects of nucleosides on senescence acceleration and memory deterioration in senescence-accelerated mice

Abstract We investigated the effects of a mixture of dietary nucleosides and nucleotides (NS+NT) on memory in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM). Memory retention was studied with passive avoidance and active avoidance tests. In old mice, the time of passive avoidance was significantly higher in the NS+NT group than in the control group at days 1 and 7. However, such an effect of NS+NT was not observed in young mice. In the active avoidance test, the incidence of successful avoidance in old mice was significantly higher in the NS+NT group than in the control group at days 1 and 2. The percentages of specific brain cells containing lipofuscin were significantly lower in NS+NT groups than in the control groups in both young and old mice. The number of monovacuoles and multiple vacuoles in specific brain regions tended to be lower in NS+NT than in control groups, with significant differences in the microvacuoles of the middle cortex of young mice and in the multiple vacuoles in the hind cortex of old mice. These results suggest that increased dietary NS+NT may be associated with decreases in the age-induced deterioration of brain morphology and certain memory tasks.

Supplementary effect of egg white protein on the utilization of soy protein isolate in growing rats

Abstract Although the effectiveness of the replacement of soy protein with egg white protein is widely accepted, much is unknown about the relationship between the replacement ratio and the quality improvement of mixed protein. Therefore in this experiment, we studied the relationship in rats fed 10% protein diet by weight for 21 days. The dietary proteins were soy protein isolate, egg white protein, casein, and 30, 50 and 70% replacement of soy protein isolate by egg white protein. The results of food intake, body weight gain, nitrogen balance, carcass protein, plasma aminogram, biological value, net protein utilization and protein efficiency ratio showed that the quality of soy protein was improved as compared to that of egg white protein and casein by the replacement of 70% and 30–50% respectively.