{"title":"Japanese-Style Diet and LOX-Index in Japanese Municipal Workers.","authors":"Mirai Sakanari, Masanori Ohta, Mayumi Nagano, Yoko Umeki, Akiko Nanri","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.212","DOIUrl":"10.3177/jnsv.72.212","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Japanese-style diet has been reported to be associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, no study has examined the association between a Japanese-style diet and LOX-index, which reflects the progression of atherosclerosis and is a predictive biomarker of cardiovascular disease. We examined the cross-sectional association between a Japanese-style diet assessed using the 12-component Japanese diet index (JDI12) score, which is a modified version of the original Japanese Diet Index, and LOX-index in Japanese municipal workers. Participants were 338 workers (166 men and 172 women aged 19-71 y) without a history of serious disease. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated brief self-administered diet history questionnaire. The JDI12 was characterized by a high intake of rice, miso soup, fish and shellfish, green and yellow vegetables, seaweeds, pickled vegetables, green tea, soybeans and soybean foods, fruits, and mushrooms and low intakes of beef and pork and coffee. LOX-index was calculated by multiplying serum concentrations of the soluble form of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) by those of LOX-1 ligands containing apolipoprotein B. Multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the geometric mean of LOX-index according to tertile of JDI12 score. The JDI12 score was not associated with LOX-index after adjustment for covariates. Geometric means (95% confidence interval) of LOX-index for the lowest through highest tertile of JDI12 score were 590 (532-654), 592 (506-693), and 618 (557-687) (p for trend=0.55). Our results suggest that a Japanese-style diet as assessed by JDI12 score was not associated with LOX-index among Japanese municipal workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 3","pages":"212-221"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148368851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effect of the Rice Endosperm Protein Hydrolysate B on Appetite in Healthy Japanese Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.","authors":"Natsumi Taira, Toshihiro Mihara, Yuki Higuchi, Hajime Takahashi, Masaru Sato, Kousaku Ohinata","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.76","DOIUrl":"10.3177/jnsv.72.76","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rice endosperm protein hydrolysate B (REPH-B) is produced by enzymatic degradation of rice endosperm protein. REPH-B contains the following peptides: QAFEPIRSV, pEAFEPIRSV, and TNPWHSPRQGSF. A previous study reported that REPH-B has the ability to induce plasma acylated ghrelin secretion and increase food intake in animal models. In this study, we investigated the effect of REPH-B on appetite in healthy adults aged over 40 y who had a relatively low visual analogue scale (VAS) score for hunger. Forty-six healthy subjects who were aware that their appetite had decreased were enrolled. Subjects were randomly allocated to one of two groups. The influence of REPH-B on appetite was evaluated by VAS under two conditions: repeated intake over 2 wk (Study 1) and single intake (Study 2). Though a single intake of REPH-B had no influence on any of the parameters evaluated, repeated intake of REPH-B significantly improved the VAS score for hunger. In conclusion, repeated intake of REPH-B might increase hunger in healthy adults who suffer from a lack of appetite. This study was registered with UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000049108.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 1","pages":"76-83"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147325696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effect of Bile Acids on Daidzin Metabolism to Equol during In Vitro Incubation of Human Feces.","authors":"Naho Mizuno-Nagata, Toshiya Toda","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.72.319","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Equol (Eq), produced by intestinal bacteria, is a more active metabolite than its precursor, daidzein; however, its production varies greatly among individuals. Bile acids (BAs) influence the balance of intestinal microbiota and may affect Eq production. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of BAs on Eq production in humans. Twenty-four-hour urine and feces were collected simultaneously from 23 participants after a 3-d soy challenge. Fecal samples from three participants with confirmed Eq-production ability, as determined by urinary analysis and in vitro fecal incubation, were used for incubation with BAs. Furthermore, the effects of co-addition of substances with BA-binding ability were examined. Fecal incubation from the three Eq producers showed distinctive daidzin (D) metabolic patterns, and the inhibitory concentrations of BAs on Eq production differed among individual samples. These differences were thought to be due to variations in individual microbiota. However, in all samples, cholic, chenodeoxycholic, and deoxycholic acids (CA, CDCA, and DCA, respectively), the major human BAs, inhibited D metabolism to Eq in a concentration-dependent manner at physiological concentrations. CDCA and DCA had approximately 10 times stronger inhibitory effects than CA. Co-addition of cholestyramine attenuated the inhibitory effects of BAs; therefore, ingestion of substances with BA-binding ability was expected to improve Eq production. However, the addition of sodium alginate, which has BA-binding ability and may affect the microbiota, showed variable response among individual samples. These results strongly suggest that BAs secreted into the intestinal tract are significant factors affecting Eq production in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 4","pages":"319-329"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148860491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of Consuming a Docosahexaenoic Acid-Enriched Milk Beverage on the Erythrocyte Omega-3 Index and Stress Index in Healthy Japanese Schoolchildren Aged 12 to 15 Years.","authors":"Takashi Ichinose, Nobuhiko Tachibana, Kentaro Matsuzaki, Arata Hashimoto, Eiji Iwaoka, Setsushi Kato, Shuzo Ohata, Miho Ohno, Atsushi Nagai, Michio Hashimoto","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.189","DOIUrl":"10.3177/jnsv.72.189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential to human health. DHA in particular plays an important role in the development and maintenance of the brain. As seafood consumption has decreased sharply in Japan, concerns have grown about brain growth and development in infants and school-aged children. It is therefore critical to investigate the effects of DHA/EPA intake on the brain functions of school-aged children. The International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids has proposed the erythrocyte omega-3 index as the standard measure of omega-3 fatty acid uptake. In this pilot study, we investigated the effects of consuming a DHA-enriched milk beverage fortified with 297 mg DHA and 137 mg EPA on the erythrocyte omega-3 and stress indices in schoolchildren. Intake of the DHA-enriched milk beverage for 12 wk led to an increase in the erythrocyte omega-3 index from 6.46% to 7.67% in children aged 12 to 15 y. Moreover, it led to a significant decrease in the \"helplessness\" score, which is an item on the stress response scale. These results suggest that daily intake of DHA, even in low amounts, could alleviate stress in school-aged children, potentially preventing various problematic behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 2","pages":"189-195"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dietary Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Supplementation Decreases Indole-3-Propionic Acid and Increases Indole-3-Lactic Acid in Rat Cecal Contents.","authors":"Tomonori Unno","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.260","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.72.260","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major polyphenol in green tea, on the cecal levels of microbial metabolites of tryptophan (Trp) in rats. Rats were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 0.25% (w/w) EGCG for 1 wk. The results showed that dietary EGCG treatment increased the concentration of indole-3-lactic acid while decreasing indole-3-propionic acid in the cecal contents compared to the control group. Furthermore, analysis of fecal microbial composition by 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that EGCG supplementation reduced the relative abundance of the genus Clostridium. This study provides fundamental insights into the role of EGCG in modulating the production of biologically active Trp metabolites.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 3","pages":"260-263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148368766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Altered Hepatic Gene Expression under Choline-Deficient Conditions.","authors":"Siyi Chen, Rina Watanabe, Rahmawati Aisyah, Noriyuki Yanaka","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.356","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.72.356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To elucidate mechanisms governing gene expression regulation in the liver in response to choline deficiency, we sought to identify genes responsive to choline-deficient conditions by conducting gene expression analysis in the livers of rats fed a choline-deficient diet. These rats exhibited reduced choline and betaine levels in their livers, and a group of genes linked to inflammatory responses and lipid metabolism was upregulated. Primary rat hepatocytes were cultured in choline-deficient medium to identify genes upregulated as intracellular choline and betaine levels decrease. Comparative analysis of gene expression profiles to identify regulated genes revealed that ubiquitin D (Ubd) expression is commonly upregulated under choline-deficient conditions in vivo and in cultured hepatocytes.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 4","pages":"356-360"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148860461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Verification of the Effect of Heat-Killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae PA YEAST SC-1 on the Gut Environment: A Culture Study Using Human Feces and a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial in Healthy Adults.","authors":"Junichi Node, Yosuke Kikuchi, Kento Kurihara, Yuka Togashi, Michihiro Sakakibara, Katsuhiro Miyajima, Shukuko Ebihara","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.141","DOIUrl":"10.3177/jnsv.72.141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To test the efficacy of heat-killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae PA YEAST SC-1 (PA YEAST SC-1) in improving the gut environment, we conducted a culture study using feces from healthy adults and a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover controlled trial in healthy adults. In human clinical trials, the gut microbiota was used as the primary endpoint and defecation status, fecal physicochemical tests, blood immune system tests, Constipation Assessment Scale-middle term (CAS-MT), and clinical laboratory values were measured as secondary endpoints. Culture tests showed that adding PA YEAST SC-1 substantially increased acetic acid and propionic acid levels. In a human clinical trial, PA YEAST SC-1 intake significantly increased the occupancy of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria (such as Parabacteroides genus), while propionic acid and the total amount of short-chain fatty acids tended to increase. Phenol, skatole, and fecal pH levels were significantly reduced. These studies indicate that PA YEAST SC-1 was utilized by the human gut bacteria and influenced the gut microbiota and metabolites, improving the gut environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 2","pages":"141-153"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of the Value of Serum TG/HDL-C Ratio Combined with Controlling Nutritional Status Score in Assessing Lesion Severity and Short-Term Prognosis in Patients with Coronary Atherosclerosis.","authors":"ChunYan Wang, Dong Liu, YiJia Ma, JinDa Liu, LiQiang Zhou","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.85","DOIUrl":"10.3177/jnsv.72.85","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of combining the serum to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) with the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score for assessing lesion severity and short-term prognosis in CAD patients. A total of 138 patients undergoing their first coronary angiography were enrolled and divided into CAD (n=88) and non-CAD (n=50) groups. Baseline characteristics and laboratory parameters were collected, and TG/HDL-C ratio and CONUT score were calculated. Lesion severity was assessed using the Gensini score, and CAD patients were followed for 6 mo. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors, evaluated the predictive performance. Both TG/HDL-C ratio (odds ratio [OR]=3.58) and CONUT score (OR=1.70) were independent predictors of CAD severity and showed significant positive correlations with Gensini scores. ROC analysis demonstrated that the combined model of TG/HDL-C and CONUT score achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 for predicting CAD severity, outperforming individual markers. The combined model also exhibited stable predictive value for short-term prognosis (AUC=0.80). Serum TG/HDL-C ratio and CONUT score are independent and effective biomarkers for evaluating lesion severity and short-term prognosis in CAD patients. The combined predictive model enhances accuracy and may serve as a clinical tool for risk assessment and intervention decisions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 2","pages":"85-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147774253","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yukika Yoshizawa, Megumi Matsumoto, Jun Konno, Hidehiko Kushi
{"title":"Correlation between Diet and Training: Impact on Blood ALT and γ-GTP Levels in Heavyweight Male Athletes.","authors":"Yukika Yoshizawa, Megumi Matsumoto, Jun Konno, Hidehiko Kushi","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.19","DOIUrl":"10.3177/jnsv.72.19","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Some heavyweight athletes like track and field throwing and heavyweight judo, have high levels of visceral fat, which raises concerns about develop reduced liver function. This study presents a detailed analysis of the relationships among dietary intake, physical activity, and factors that exacerbate blood test results in these athletes. The study involved 20 track and field throwers (TF) and 9 judo heavyweight athletes (JH). We conducted body composition measurements using the impedance method, a training survey, and a semi-quantitative diet survey over 3 d. We performed blood tests to determine the effects of dietary intake and training on liver function. Blood tests revealed alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) levels of 33±3 and 22±2 U/L in the TF, and 28±5 and 25±2 U/L in the JH. Daily energy intake and exercise energy expenditure were 3,018±149 and 884±71 kcal/d in the TF, and 3,160±146 and 1,593±153 kcal/d in the JH, respectively. We found positive correlations among weight, carbohydrate intake and energy ratio, ALT levels, and γ-GTP levels in both groups. While decreased liver function is traditionally addressed by discontinuing training, this study suggests that dietary adjustments may also be necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 1","pages":"19-29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147326393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Identification of Paramyosin as a Novel Allergen in Edible Cricket Protein.","authors":"Minami Nakamura, Hiroki Matsuki, Kanon Hagiwara, Saki Okuno, Kosuke Kataoka, Seiya Ashikari, Kensuke Ikeda, Katsuyuki Miyawaki, Takahito Watanabe, Shintaro Inoue, Taro Mito, Toru Asahi, Akira Takahashi, Takayuki Uchida, Takeshi Nikawa","doi":"10.3177/jnsv.72.70","DOIUrl":"10.3177/jnsv.72.70","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Edible insects have recently gained attention as a sustainable protein source. In a dietary intervention clinical trial, participants consumed one of the following for 28 d: wheat bread, soy protein bread, cricket protein bread, or a mixed bread containing both cricket and soy proteins. Although individuals with known allergies to soy, crustaceans, or wheat were excluded, several participants developed allergic dermatitis (erythema with itching) after consuming cricket protein bread. This study, therefore, aims to identify potential allergens in cricket protein that may have triggered these reactions. To do so, we analyzed serum samples from an individual who developed allergic dermatitis after consuming the cricket protein or cricket-soy protein mixed bread. Our results revealed a novel allergen candidate. In contrast, this allergen was not detected in serum from an individual who consumed the same bread but did not experience an allergic reaction. The newly identified allergen was solubilized by heating at 95ºC for 5 min in 10% SDS. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and database searches in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gryllus protein database, paramyosin was identified as a candidate protein. Our findings suggest a new allergen candidate in cricket protein, which is regarded as a promising alternative protein source and edible insect. Furthermore, these results support the safety assessment of cricket consumption and underscore the importance of allergen screening in edible crickets.</p>","PeriodicalId":16624,"journal":{"name":"Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology","volume":"72 1","pages":"70-75"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147326382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}