Tomoko Koda

Enzyme-Treated Asparagus Extract (ETAS) Facilitates the Turnover of UV-B-Irradiated Keratinocytes

Enzyme-treated asparagus extract (ETAS) is prepared from the lower, residual parts of asparagus, and some functionalities, such as anti-oxidative and neuroprotective activities, have been suggested. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of ETAS on photoaging in the epidermal layer of the skin using cultured keratinocytes. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes were irradiated or left unirradiated with UV-B (10 mJ/cm2) and incubated with ETAS (0.5 or 2 mg/mL) or vehicle. After 3 or 13 h, molecular examinations were performed, and after 24 or 48 h, cell viabilities were determined by a CCK-8 assay. ETAS addition may induce keratinocyte migration and proliferation as well as apoptosis under molecular examination. These results suggest that ETAS might accelerate turnover of keratinocytes.

ETAS®50 Attenuates Ultraviolet-B-Induced Interleukin-6 Expression by Suppressing Akt Phosphorylation in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts

We recently reported that ETAS 50, a standardized extract from the Asparagus officinalis stem, exerted anti-inflammatory effects on ultraviolet-B- (UV-B-) irradiated normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) by inhibiting nuclear factor-κB p65 nuclear import and the resulting interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression. To further elucidate the antiphotoaging potency of ETAS 50, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects on UV-B-irradiated NHDFs by focusing on the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Akt signaling pathways. NHDFs were treated with 1 mg/mL of ETAS 50 or dextrin (vehicle control) after UV-B irradiation (20 mJ/cm2) for different time periods. Phosphorylation levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPK, and Akt were analyzed by western blotting. IL-6 mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. UV-B-irradiated NHDFs showed increased phosphorylation levels of JNK, p38 MAPK, and Akt, as well as increased mRNA levels of IL-6. ETAS 50 treatment after UV-B irradiation suppressed the increased phosphorylation levels of Akt without affecting those of JNK and p38 MAPK. ETAS 50 as well as Akt inhibitor Perifosine repressed UV-B irradiation-induced IL-6 mRNA expression. These results suggest that ETAS 50 treatment represses UV-B irradiation-induced IL-6 expression by suppressing Akt phosphorylation. The present findings demonstrate the potential of ETAS 50 to prevent photoaging by attenuating UV-B irradiation-induced proinflammatory responses in skin fibroblasts.

Study of the Knowledge and Skills of Cooking Required for Maintaining the Professionalism of National Registered Dietitians: A Report on Hospital Dietitians

【目的】病院という職域にある管理栄養士が必要であると感じている調理理論と技術を明らかにする。【方法】総合病院22施設の栄養課に勤務する管理栄養士58人を解析対象とした。質問は，管理栄養士国家試験出題基準に準じた30調査項目で構成した。【結果】28調査項目で「必要である」「どちらかといえば必要である」と回答した者が9割を超えた。勤務年数が対象者の必要とする調理理論と技術に影響を与える可能性を検討した。勤務年数10年ごとに4区分した勤務年数1～9年，10～19年，20年～29年，30年以上による比較では，回答選択肢間で有意差を認めた項目はなかった。管理栄養士養成施設カリキュラム改正前後の勤務年数により区分した勤務年数1～4年，5～19年，20年以上の3区分による比較では，「調理操作と栄養成分の変化の体験的理解（調理科学実験）」において，勤務年数5～19年の者は，20年以上の者と比較して必要性を感じている者の割合が高かった（p＜0.05）。「食品構成」において，勤務年数5～19年（p＜0.05）と20年以上（p＜0.05）の者は1～4年の者と比較して，必要性を感じている者の割合が高かった。【結論】管理栄養士国家試験出題基準に準ずる基礎的な調理理論と技術の習得は，病院に勤務する管理栄養士の専門性にとって必要であった。就労後必要とされる調理理論と技術は，勤務年数に影響される可能性がある。