Hui-Chen Lo - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Hui-Chen Lo
Nutrients, 2021
Plant-rich diets alleviate oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis and are negatively linked to age-as... more Plant-rich diets alleviate oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis and are negatively linked to age-associated chronic disorders. This study examined the effects of consuming plant-based, antioxidant-rich smoothies and sesame seed snacks (PBASS) on antioxidant ability and gut microbial composition in older adults. Healthy and sub-healthy older adults (n = 42, 79.7 ± 8.6 years old) in two senior living facilities were given PBASS for 4 months. Blood and fecal samples were collected from these individuals at the baseline and after 2 and 4 months of PBASS consumption. After 2 months, serum levels of albumin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) had increased significantly and erythrocytic glutathione, GSH/GSSG and superoxide dismutase activity had decreased significantly compared with baseline levels (p < 0.05). After 4 months, red blood cells, hematocrit, serum blood urea nitrogen and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activ...
PLOS ONE, 2018
Polysaccharides derived from mushrooms have potential to control blood sugar, reduce insulin resi... more Polysaccharides derived from mushrooms have potential to control blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance and prevent diabetic complications. The intracellular polysaccharopeptides of Trametes versicolor (TV) have been used as immunologic and oncologic adjuvants. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential activities and mechanisms of extracellular polysaccharopeptides (ePSP) obtained from TV strain LH-1 on regulating glucose homeostasis. Human hepatoma HepG2 cells incubated with normal glucose (5.5 mM, NG model), high glucose (33 mM, HG model), or high glucose (33 mM) plus high insulin (10 −7 M, HGI model) concentrations were administered with TV LH-1 ePSP (50, 100, and 1000 μg/ml) for 24 hr. Glucose uptake of HepG2 cells, determined by flow cytometry, was significantly decreased in the HG and HGI models with insulin stimulation, suggesting insulin resistance of these cells; however, ePSP reversed this decrease in a dose-dependent manner (one-way ANOVA, p<0.05). In the HG and HGI models, ePSP significantly increased glycogen content, insulin receptor substrate-2 protein and phosphorylated AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK), as determined by western blot analysis. In addition, ePSP significantly increased glucokinase in the NG and HG models, increased membrane glucose transporter-1 and decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3β in the HGI model, and increased glucose-6-phosphatase in the NG and HGI models (one-way ANOVA, p<0.05). In summary, TV LH-1 ePSP may elevate cellular glucose uptake to regulate glucose homeostasis via the activation of AMPK and glycogen synthesis in an insulin-independent manner. These results suggest that TV LH-1 ePSP may be a nutraceutical with anti-hyperglycemic activity.
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2011
Turkey tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (TV), is a species with a variety of pharmaco... more Turkey tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (TV), is a species with a variety of pharmacological activities. Its intracellular polysaccharopeptides are widely commercialized. Recently, we found a novel TV strain LH-1 in Taiwan and demonstrated that the extracellular polysaccharopeptide (ePSP) of LH-1 obtained from submerged culture exhibits significant immunomodulatory activity. In this in vivo study, we further evaluated the safety of orally administered LH-1 ePSP using both male and female ICR mice. The LH-1 ePSP was orally administered to mice at levels of 0 (water), 100 (low dose), 500 (medium dose), or 1000 mg/kg/day (high dose) for 28 days. Clinical observations, growth, food consumption, histopathological examination, and clinical biochemical analyses revealed no adverse effects of LH-1 ePSP in mice. There were no significant differences in the results of target organ weights, hematological analyses, and urinalysis examination among groups. However, male mice that ingested high doses of LH-1 ePSP tended to have decreased lung weights and platelet numbers. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that oral administration of LH-1 ePSP for 28 days is accompanied by no obvious signs of toxicity. The lack of toxicity supports the potential use of LH-1 ePSP as a food or dietary supplement.
The American journal of physiology
The effect of a standard surgical stress and subsequent total parenteral nutrition (TPN) treatmen... more The effect of a standard surgical stress and subsequent total parenteral nutrition (TPN) treatment on systemic acid-base balance was assessed in four groups of rats: TPN controls, TPN coinfused with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I, 800 micrograms/day), TPN with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH, 800 micrograms in two divided daily sc doses), and combined rhGH plus rhIGF-I (800 + 800 micrograms/day). After the 6-day time course, TPN controls exhibited a systemic metabolic acidosis (HCO3- = 20.4 +/- 0.4 mM) and lost 7 g body wt/6 days. Either growth factor ameliorated the acidosis (rhGH = 22.6 +/- 0.6 and IGF-I = 22.0 +/- 0.5 mM) and promoted weight gain (11 +/- 2 and 10 +/- 3 g/6 days, respectively). Combined growth factor treatment, rhGH+rhIGF-I, restored acid-base balance (HCO3- = 24.7 +/- 0.6 mM) and exhibited an additive effect on weight gain (25 +/- 3 g/6 days). Ammonium and sulfate excretion as indexes of renal acid excretion and systemic sulfuric acid production, respectively, were highest in the TPN control, Growth factors alone reduced sulfuric acid production, whereas combined growth factor treatment reduced acid production and eliminated acid excretion despite elevated renal glutaminase activity. However, renal cortical glutamate content was elevated in the combined growth factor treatment (10.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.5 rhGH+rhIGF-1 vs. TPN, P < 0.05), consistent with repression of the elevated glutaminase activity. These findings point to an important role for acid-base homeostasis in the anabolic response and are consonant with an additive effect of growth factors, rhGH+rhIGF-I, in correcting the metabolic acidosis associated with surgical stress.
The American journal of physiology
We compared the effects of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I [rhIGF-I, 800 microgram... more We compared the effects of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I [rhIGF-I, 800 micrograms/day, coinfused with total parenteral nutrition (TPN)], growth hormone (rhGH, 800 micrograms/day, subcutaneous injection twice daily), and simultaneous treatment with rhIGF-I and rhGH (800 + 800 micrograms/day) in rats subjected to surgical stress and maintained with TPN. Weight gain induced by IGF-I plus GH was double that shown by IGF-I or GH alone. Although weight gain was similar with IGF-I or GH, IGF-I selectively increased heart, kidney, thymus, spleen, and small intestine mass, whereas GH selectively increased gastrocnemius muscle mass. IGF-I and/or GH increased carcass protein and water while decreasing fat. Serum total and free IGF-I levels were highest with IGF-I plus GH. Serum rat GH levels were reduced with IGF-I and/or GH. IGF-I given with GH reversed the GH-induced increase in serum insulin. In summary, IGF-I and GH show tissue-specific anabolic effects, and simultaneous treatment with IGF-I plus GH additively increases anabolism during TPN.
International surgery
The luminal perfusion of fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been reported to protect the small bowel fr... more The luminal perfusion of fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been reported to protect the small bowel from ischemia/reperfusion injury. We studied the effect of intravascular FBS infusion in a rat model of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion. Thirty male Lewis rats received an FBS (FBS group) or saline [control (CON) group] infusion through the vena cava. Fourteen days later (day 0), all rats underwent 2-hours total vascular occlusion in 15 cm of the intestine. Rats were killed on days 0, 3, and 6 to determine the intestinal morphology and DNA and protein content. After FBS perfusion, DNA and protein levels showed no significant increase. In both groups, the mucosa and weight of the intestine changed, but not significantly. The lung, spleen, and liver were congested. Mucosal morphology of the small intestine and DNA and protein content do not significantly change with FBS infusion. Reasons might be an insufficient dose of FBS or the short duration of intestinal ischemia. Systemically perfu...
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
We assessed whether the increased growth in parenterally fed rats treated with growth hormone (GH... more We assessed whether the increased growth in parenterally fed rats treated with growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or both is associated with alterations in energy expenditure or macronutrient oxidation or both. Surgically stressed male rats (approximately 235 g) were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and treated with recombinant human GH (rhGH) (800 micrograms/d), rhIGF-I (800 micrograms/d), rhGH+rhIGF-I (800 micrograms/d of each), or TPN alone for 3 d. Treatment with GH or IGF-I or both resulted in significantly greater body weight gain, nitrogen retention, and serum total IGF-I concentrations compared with TPN alone (P < 0.0001). Assessment of respiratory gas exchange and motor activity for 23 h on day 3 indicated no significant differences between groups in either total or activity-related rates of energy expenditures (kJ/kg0.75). Estimates based on the nitrogen-free respiratory quotient (RQ) revealed fat oxidation to be significantly increased by...
The American journal of physiology
Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) selectively increase tissue mass. We... more Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) selectively increase tissue mass. We compared the fractional rate of protein synthesis (Ks in skeletal muscle, jejunal mucosa and muscularis, and liver to investigate the differential effects of GH and IGF-I on tissue protein synthesis. Surgically stressed rats were maintained with hypocaloric total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and given recombinant human (rh) GH (rhGH), rhIGF-I, rhGH + rhIGF-I (800 or 800 + 800 micrograms/day, respectively), or TPN alone. After 3 days, a flooding dose of valine (800 mumol with 5.56 MBq L-[3,4-3H]valine) was administered, and rats were killed 20 min later. Body weight gain, nitrogen retention, and serum IGF-I concentrations confirmed that GH plus IGF-I additively increased anabolism. Serum insulin concentrations were significantly increased by GH and decreased by IGF-I. GH significantly increased Ks in skeletal muscle and jejunal muscularis, IGF-I significantly increased Ks in jejunal mucosa...
International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 2015
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a disease with impaired glucose, protein and lipid metabolism, l... more Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a disease with impaired glucose, protein and lipid metabolism, low-grade chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction, is a global public health crisis. We previously demonstrated that Grifola frondosa has bioactivities in improving glycemic responses in diabetic rats. Herein, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of the submerged-culture mycelia and broth of G. frondosa on the peripheral blood cells (PBL) and splenocytes. Male Wistar rats were administered with saline (normal rats) or streptozotocin plus nicotinamide (T2DM rats) and were intragastrically administered with placebo, fermented mycelia, broth, or mycelia plus broth (1 g kg-1 day-1) for two weeks. In normal rats, ingestion of mycelia significantly decreased monocytes and ingestion of mycelia and broth significantly decreased the productions of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 from the PBL and splenocytes. In T2DM rats, ingestion of mycelia, broth, and mycelia plus broth s...
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jan 26, 2015
This study investigates the effects of Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilát (TVP, also known as Yun... more This study investigates the effects of Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilát (TVP, also known as Yunzhi) on bone properties in diabetic rats. Forty-five 8-week-old male Wistar rats were fed either a chow diet (control) or a high-fat diet throughout the study period of 28 days. Animals in the high-fat-diet group were injected with nicotinamide and streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus (DM). The DM rats were divided into a group receiving distilled water (vehicle) and another group receiving TVP at 0.1g/kg-weight by gavage. Relative to the vehicle group, TVP gavage lowered postprandial blood sugar (225±18 mg/dL for TVP vs. 292±15 mg/dL for vehicle, p<0.001) on day 26. Compared to the vehicle group, TVP mitigated DM-induced bone deterioration as determined by increasing bone volume of proximal tibia (22.8±1.4% for TVP vs. 16.8±1.3% for vehicle, p=0.003), trabecular number (p=0.011), and femoral bone strength (11% in maximal load, 22% in stiffness, 14% in modulus, p<0.001), and ...
JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition, Jan 30, 2015
Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a life-threatening emergency accompanied by inflamma... more Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a life-threatening emergency accompanied by inflammation and organ damage. We compared the mechanisms and the effects of arginine, citrulline, and glutamine on inflammation and intestinal damage. Male Wistar rats underwent 60 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion and either 3 (I/R3) or 24 (I/R24) hours of reperfusion and were orally administered vehicle, arginine, citrulline, or glutamine 15 minutes before reperfusion and at 3, 9, and 21 hours of reperfusion. I/R3 rats experienced jejunal damage and apoptosis, and I/R24 rats had liver dysfunction compared with normal rats (one-way ANOVA, P < .05). Arginine and citrulline administrations improved jejunal morphology, and citrulline and glutamine administrations alleviated the loss of jejunal mass in I/R3 rats. I/R3-increased circulating nitrate/nitrite (NOx), tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 were significantly decreased by citrulline, glutamine and citrulline, and arg...
Pediatric surgery international, 2010
Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that may occur as a sequela of intra-abdominal infect... more Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that may occur as a sequela of intra-abdominal infection. The management of peritonitis includes surgical intervention, antimicrobial therapy, and nutritional support. Arginine has been reported to have beneficial and adverse effects in subjects with inflammation, which might be related to the dose, time, and route of supplementation and the disease severity. So far, the optimal doses of parenteral arginine are not known. In this study, we investigated dose effects of parenterally supplemented arginine on anabolism and arginine-derived metabolites in sub-acute inflammation. Male Wistar rats underwent modified cecal puncture procedure for induction of peritonitis were infused with total parenteral nutrition solutions for 7 days, which contained conventional, low, medium, and high doses of arginine, i.e., 1.61, 2.85, 4.08, and 6.54% of calories from arginine. Healthy, orally fed rats were included as references. On day 7, peritonitic rats ha...
The American journal of physiology, 1997
Growth hormone (GH) action is primarily mediated by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), althoug... more Growth hormone (GH) action is primarily mediated by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), although both growth factors show tissue-selective effects. We investigated the effects of GH, IGF-I, and GH plus IGF-I on jejunal growth and function in rats maintained with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and given recombinant human GH (rhGH) (400 micrograms/day sc, twice daily) and/or rhIGF-I (800 micrograms/day in TPN solution) for 5 days. Administration of GH or IGF-I alone produced similar increases in serum IGF-I levels and body weight; GH plus IGF-I further increased these parameters. TPN reduced mucosal mass, protein and DNA content, villus height, crypt depth, and enterocyte migration rate. IGF-I or GH plus IGF-I produced equivalent increases in all intestinal growth parameters; GH alone had no effect. GH, IGF-I, or GH plus IGF-I reduced TPN-induced increases in sucrase-specific activity. IGF-I, but not GH, attenuated TPN-induced increases in tissue conductance and carbachol-stimulat...
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2014
The optimal culture conditions were investigated to maximize the production of mycelial biomass a... more The optimal culture conditions were investigated to maximize the production of mycelial biomass and bioactive ingredients in submerged cultivation of Xylaria nigripes, a Chinese medicinal fungus. The one-factor-at-a-time method was used to explore the effects of medium components, including carbon, nitrogen, mineral sources, and initial pH of the medium and environmental factors, such as culture temperature and rotation speed, on mycelial growth and production of bioactive ingredients. The results indicated that the optimal culture temperature and rotation speed were 25°C and 100 rpm in a medium with 20 g fructose, 6 g yeast extract, and 2 g magnesiun sulfate heptahydrate as carbon, nitrogen, and mineral sources, respectively, in 1 L distilled water with an initial medium pH of 5.5. With optimal medium components and conditions of cultivation, the maximal production of mycelial biomass was 6.64 ± 0.88 g/L, with maximal production of bioactive ingredients such as extracellular polysaccharides (2.36 ± 0.18 mg/mL), intracellular polysaccharides (2.38 ± 0.07 mg/g), adenosine (43.27 ± 2.37 mg/g), total polyphenols (36.57 ± 1.36 mg/g), and triterpenoids (31.29 ± 1.17 mg/g) in a shake flask culture. These results suggest that different bioactive ingredients including intracellular polysaccharides, adenosine, total polyphenols and triterpenoids in mycelia and extracellular polysaccharides in broth can be obtained from one simple medium for submerged cultivation of X. nigripes.
Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 2014
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic disease with hyperglycemia and impaired immun... more The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic disease with hyperglycemia and impaired immune function, is increasing worldwide. Progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 DM has recently become a target for early intervention. The fruiting bodies (FB) and submerged culture mycelium (CM) of Tremella mesenterica, an edible and medicinal mushroom, have been demonstrated to have antihyperglycemic and immunomodulatory activities in type 1 DM rats. Herein, we investigated the effects of acidic polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GX) extracted from CM on the immunocyte responses. Male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) plus nicotinamide (200 mg/kg) for the induction of IGT, and gavaged daily with vehicle, FB, CM, or GX (1 g/kg/day). Rats injected with saline and gavaged vehicle were used as controls. Two weeks later, peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and splenocytes were collected. Ingestion of FB, CM, and GX significantly decreased blood gluco...
Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 2013
This study determined factors of preterm delivery in Taiwan. Healthy women (n=520, age 29.1±4.2 y... more This study determined factors of preterm delivery in Taiwan. Healthy women (n=520, age 29.1±4.2 y) at 8-12 weeks of pregnancy were recruited from prenatal clinics. Background information, anthropometrics, biochemical parameters, and dietary intake, collected by 24 h-recall were obtained from the first, second, and third trimesters to delivery. Clinical outcomes of neonates were also collected. The results show that 53.7% of women were primiparous and that the incidence of preterm delivery was 6.2%. Body weight gains in the first trimester and throughout pregnancy were significantly lower in mothers with preterm delivery (preterm group) than in mothers with term delivery (term group, p<0.05). Maternal cholesterol intake, circulating white blood cell counts (WBC) and serum albumin were significantly lower and that serum magnesium and ferritin were significantly higher in the preterm group than in the term group. Maternal weight gain was positively correlated with caloric and nutrie...
British Journal of Nutrition, 2010
Diets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. Th... more Diets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. The effects of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on various serum parameters and renal histology were investigated on hyperuricaemic rats. Male Wistar rats administered with oxonic acid and UA to induce hyperuricaemia were fed with casein or soya protein plus palm- or safflower-seed oil-supplemented diets. Normal rats and hyperuricaemic rats with or without allopurinol treatment (150 mg/l in drinking water) were fed with casein plus maize oil-supplemented diets. After 8 weeks, allopurinol treatment and soya protein plus safflower-seed oil-supplemented diet significantly decreased serum UA in hyperuricaemic rats (one-way ANOVA; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, soya protein and casein attenuated hyperuricaemia-induced decreases in serum albumin and insulin, respectively (two-way ANOVA; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Safflower-seed oil significantly decreased serum TAG and UA, whereas palm oil significantly increased serum cholesterol, TAG, blood urea N and creatinine. However, soya protein significantly decreased renal NO and nitrotyrosine and palm oil significantly decreased renal nitrotyrosine, TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma and increased renal transforming growth factor-beta. Casein with safflower-seed oil significantly attenuated renal tubulointerstitial nephritis, crystals and fibrosis. Comparing casein v. soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil, the results support that casein with safflower-seed oil may be effective in attenuating hyperuricaemia-associated renal damage, while soya protein with safflower-seed oil may be beneficial in lowering serum UA and TAG.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2008
Grifola frondosa, an edible fungus with a large fruiting body and overlapping caps, has been demo... more Grifola frondosa, an edible fungus with a large fruiting body and overlapping caps, has been demonstrated to be a natural source of health-promoting substances, mainly due to its polysaccharides beta-glucan. By using male Wistar rats injected with saline (normal rats) or nicotinamide plus streptozotocin (diabetic rats), we investigated the effects of an orally ingested placebo (CON and STZ groups), culture mycelium (CGM and SGM groups), broth (CGB and SGB groups), and mycelium plus broth (CGX and SGX groups) of Grifola frondosa on glycemic responses. During the experimental period (from day 0 to day 15), the STZ group had significantly lower body weight compared to the CON group (one-way ANOVA, p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). Moreover, the STZ group had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations at 2 hour-postprandial periods on days 0, 7, and 14 and in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on day 10, as well as significantly higher serum fructosamine and triglyceride on day 15 compared to the CON group. These diabetes-induced increases were significantly attenuated by administrations of mycelium and/or broth, i.e., the SGM, SGB, and SGX groups. The results of repeated-measures analysis and three-way ANOVA indicated that diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium administration significantly decreases postprandial blood glucose; diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium and broth administrations significantly decrease serum triglyceride, fructosamine, and blood glucose concentrations; moreover, in the area under the curve in OGTT, p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05. Our results revealed that submerged-culture mycelia and broth of Grifola frondosa have bioactivities for improving glycemic responses.
Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 2004
Tremella aurantia (TA) has been traditionally used as food and crude medicine in Chinese society.... more Tremella aurantia (TA) has been traditionally used as food and crude medicine in Chinese society. The polysaccharide isolated from the fruiting bodies of TA exhibits significant hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mouse models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Diabetes will cause sexual dysfunction in patients. In the present study, we examined if the treatment of TA on IDDM and NIDDM rats will restore steroidogenesis and then the reproductive function. The fruiting bodies (FB), mycelium (TM) and polysaccharide (GX) of TA were fed to the IDDM and NIDDM rats, and testosterone and corticosterone levels in plasma, the weight of steroidogenic organs, and the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and P450scc enzyme were determined. Plasma testosterone productions were significantly suppressed with the feeding of FB or TM in normal rat (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Testosterone productions were also significantly suppressed in IDDM diabetes rats (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), and FB or TM could not restore the inhibitory effects (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference of the testosterone production between normal and NIDDM rats (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). In plasma corticosterone production, there were no differences among control, FB- or TM-fed normal rats (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). Corticosterone levels were reduced in IDDM rats compared to control, and FB or TM could restore its level. Corticosterone levels were induced in NIDDM rats compared to control (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), but FB, TM or GX significantly brought the corticosterone back (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) to the control levels. Considering steroidogenic organs, IDDM rats with or without TA treatments had heavier testis and adrenal glands, but not epididymis, than normal rats with or without TA treatments. There were no effects of TA on the weight of steroidogenic organs among normal and NIDDM rats. However, GX feeding in NIDDM rat had lesser testis weight compared to NIDDM rats. The expression of StAR protein and P450scc enzyme were not different among groups in IDDM and NIDDM rats. Plasma testosterone productions were suppressed in normal rats with the feeding of TA (FB and TM). IDDM rats did have lower testosterone, but not in NIDDM, and FB or TM could not restore the inhibitory effects. The induction of IDDM or NIDDM rats did affect steroidogenesis and steroidogenic organ weights, and the feeding of TA had different effects on steroidogenesis in different types of diabetic rats.
PLoS ONE, 2012
Background: Chronic inflammation accompanied by arginine deficiency, immune dysfunction, and exce... more Background: Chronic inflammation accompanied by arginine deficiency, immune dysfunction, and excess nitric oxide (NO) production is a clinical condition found in patients with peritonitis. A previous study showed that the nonselective NOS inhibitor N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) may facilitate the metabolism of the immune nutrient arginine without altering NO homeostasis in rats with sub-acute peritonitis. Here, we investigated the effects of L-NAME on the immunocytic subpopulation distribution and response.
Nutrients, 2021
Plant-rich diets alleviate oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis and are negatively linked to age-as... more Plant-rich diets alleviate oxidative stress and gut dysbiosis and are negatively linked to age-associated chronic disorders. This study examined the effects of consuming plant-based, antioxidant-rich smoothies and sesame seed snacks (PBASS) on antioxidant ability and gut microbial composition in older adults. Healthy and sub-healthy older adults (n = 42, 79.7 ± 8.6 years old) in two senior living facilities were given PBASS for 4 months. Blood and fecal samples were collected from these individuals at the baseline and after 2 and 4 months of PBASS consumption. After 2 months, serum levels of albumin and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) had increased significantly and erythrocytic glutathione, GSH/GSSG and superoxide dismutase activity had decreased significantly compared with baseline levels (p < 0.05). After 4 months, red blood cells, hematocrit, serum blood urea nitrogen and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activ...
PLOS ONE, 2018
Polysaccharides derived from mushrooms have potential to control blood sugar, reduce insulin resi... more Polysaccharides derived from mushrooms have potential to control blood sugar, reduce insulin resistance and prevent diabetic complications. The intracellular polysaccharopeptides of Trametes versicolor (TV) have been used as immunologic and oncologic adjuvants. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential activities and mechanisms of extracellular polysaccharopeptides (ePSP) obtained from TV strain LH-1 on regulating glucose homeostasis. Human hepatoma HepG2 cells incubated with normal glucose (5.5 mM, NG model), high glucose (33 mM, HG model), or high glucose (33 mM) plus high insulin (10 −7 M, HGI model) concentrations were administered with TV LH-1 ePSP (50, 100, and 1000 μg/ml) for 24 hr. Glucose uptake of HepG2 cells, determined by flow cytometry, was significantly decreased in the HG and HGI models with insulin stimulation, suggesting insulin resistance of these cells; however, ePSP reversed this decrease in a dose-dependent manner (one-way ANOVA, p<0.05). In the HG and HGI models, ePSP significantly increased glycogen content, insulin receptor substrate-2 protein and phosphorylated AMPactivated protein kinase (AMPK), as determined by western blot analysis. In addition, ePSP significantly increased glucokinase in the NG and HG models, increased membrane glucose transporter-1 and decreased glycogen synthase kinase-3β in the HGI model, and increased glucose-6-phosphatase in the NG and HGI models (one-way ANOVA, p<0.05). In summary, TV LH-1 ePSP may elevate cellular glucose uptake to regulate glucose homeostasis via the activation of AMPK and glycogen synthesis in an insulin-independent manner. These results suggest that TV LH-1 ePSP may be a nutraceutical with anti-hyperglycemic activity.
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2011
Turkey tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (TV), is a species with a variety of pharmaco... more Turkey tail medicinal mushroom, Trametes versicolor (TV), is a species with a variety of pharmacological activities. Its intracellular polysaccharopeptides are widely commercialized. Recently, we found a novel TV strain LH-1 in Taiwan and demonstrated that the extracellular polysaccharopeptide (ePSP) of LH-1 obtained from submerged culture exhibits significant immunomodulatory activity. In this in vivo study, we further evaluated the safety of orally administered LH-1 ePSP using both male and female ICR mice. The LH-1 ePSP was orally administered to mice at levels of 0 (water), 100 (low dose), 500 (medium dose), or 1000 mg/kg/day (high dose) for 28 days. Clinical observations, growth, food consumption, histopathological examination, and clinical biochemical analyses revealed no adverse effects of LH-1 ePSP in mice. There were no significant differences in the results of target organ weights, hematological analyses, and urinalysis examination among groups. However, male mice that ingested high doses of LH-1 ePSP tended to have decreased lung weights and platelet numbers. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that oral administration of LH-1 ePSP for 28 days is accompanied by no obvious signs of toxicity. The lack of toxicity supports the potential use of LH-1 ePSP as a food or dietary supplement.
The American journal of physiology
The effect of a standard surgical stress and subsequent total parenteral nutrition (TPN) treatmen... more The effect of a standard surgical stress and subsequent total parenteral nutrition (TPN) treatment on systemic acid-base balance was assessed in four groups of rats: TPN controls, TPN coinfused with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I, 800 micrograms/day), TPN with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH, 800 micrograms in two divided daily sc doses), and combined rhGH plus rhIGF-I (800 + 800 micrograms/day). After the 6-day time course, TPN controls exhibited a systemic metabolic acidosis (HCO3- = 20.4 +/- 0.4 mM) and lost 7 g body wt/6 days. Either growth factor ameliorated the acidosis (rhGH = 22.6 +/- 0.6 and IGF-I = 22.0 +/- 0.5 mM) and promoted weight gain (11 +/- 2 and 10 +/- 3 g/6 days, respectively). Combined growth factor treatment, rhGH+rhIGF-I, restored acid-base balance (HCO3- = 24.7 +/- 0.6 mM) and exhibited an additive effect on weight gain (25 +/- 3 g/6 days). Ammonium and sulfate excretion as indexes of renal acid excretion and systemic sulfuric acid production, respectively, were highest in the TPN control, Growth factors alone reduced sulfuric acid production, whereas combined growth factor treatment reduced acid production and eliminated acid excretion despite elevated renal glutaminase activity. However, renal cortical glutamate content was elevated in the combined growth factor treatment (10.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 7.3 +/- 0.5 rhGH+rhIGF-1 vs. TPN, P < 0.05), consistent with repression of the elevated glutaminase activity. These findings point to an important role for acid-base homeostasis in the anabolic response and are consonant with an additive effect of growth factors, rhGH+rhIGF-I, in correcting the metabolic acidosis associated with surgical stress.
The American journal of physiology
We compared the effects of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I [rhIGF-I, 800 microgram... more We compared the effects of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I [rhIGF-I, 800 micrograms/day, coinfused with total parenteral nutrition (TPN)], growth hormone (rhGH, 800 micrograms/day, subcutaneous injection twice daily), and simultaneous treatment with rhIGF-I and rhGH (800 + 800 micrograms/day) in rats subjected to surgical stress and maintained with TPN. Weight gain induced by IGF-I plus GH was double that shown by IGF-I or GH alone. Although weight gain was similar with IGF-I or GH, IGF-I selectively increased heart, kidney, thymus, spleen, and small intestine mass, whereas GH selectively increased gastrocnemius muscle mass. IGF-I and/or GH increased carcass protein and water while decreasing fat. Serum total and free IGF-I levels were highest with IGF-I plus GH. Serum rat GH levels were reduced with IGF-I and/or GH. IGF-I given with GH reversed the GH-induced increase in serum insulin. In summary, IGF-I and GH show tissue-specific anabolic effects, and simultaneous treatment with IGF-I plus GH additively increases anabolism during TPN.
International surgery
The luminal perfusion of fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been reported to protect the small bowel fr... more The luminal perfusion of fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been reported to protect the small bowel from ischemia/reperfusion injury. We studied the effect of intravascular FBS infusion in a rat model of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion. Thirty male Lewis rats received an FBS (FBS group) or saline [control (CON) group] infusion through the vena cava. Fourteen days later (day 0), all rats underwent 2-hours total vascular occlusion in 15 cm of the intestine. Rats were killed on days 0, 3, and 6 to determine the intestinal morphology and DNA and protein content. After FBS perfusion, DNA and protein levels showed no significant increase. In both groups, the mucosa and weight of the intestine changed, but not significantly. The lung, spleen, and liver were congested. Mucosal morphology of the small intestine and DNA and protein content do not significantly change with FBS infusion. Reasons might be an insufficient dose of FBS or the short duration of intestinal ischemia. Systemically perfu...
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
We assessed whether the increased growth in parenterally fed rats treated with growth hormone (GH... more We assessed whether the increased growth in parenterally fed rats treated with growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or both is associated with alterations in energy expenditure or macronutrient oxidation or both. Surgically stressed male rats (approximately 235 g) were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and treated with recombinant human GH (rhGH) (800 micrograms/d), rhIGF-I (800 micrograms/d), rhGH+rhIGF-I (800 micrograms/d of each), or TPN alone for 3 d. Treatment with GH or IGF-I or both resulted in significantly greater body weight gain, nitrogen retention, and serum total IGF-I concentrations compared with TPN alone (P < 0.0001). Assessment of respiratory gas exchange and motor activity for 23 h on day 3 indicated no significant differences between groups in either total or activity-related rates of energy expenditures (kJ/kg0.75). Estimates based on the nitrogen-free respiratory quotient (RQ) revealed fat oxidation to be significantly increased by...
The American journal of physiology
Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) selectively increase tissue mass. We... more Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) selectively increase tissue mass. We compared the fractional rate of protein synthesis (Ks in skeletal muscle, jejunal mucosa and muscularis, and liver to investigate the differential effects of GH and IGF-I on tissue protein synthesis. Surgically stressed rats were maintained with hypocaloric total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and given recombinant human (rh) GH (rhGH), rhIGF-I, rhGH + rhIGF-I (800 or 800 + 800 micrograms/day, respectively), or TPN alone. After 3 days, a flooding dose of valine (800 mumol with 5.56 MBq L-[3,4-3H]valine) was administered, and rats were killed 20 min later. Body weight gain, nitrogen retention, and serum IGF-I concentrations confirmed that GH plus IGF-I additively increased anabolism. Serum insulin concentrations were significantly increased by GH and decreased by IGF-I. GH significantly increased Ks in skeletal muscle and jejunal muscularis, IGF-I significantly increased Ks in jejunal mucosa...
International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 2015
Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a disease with impaired glucose, protein and lipid metabolism, l... more Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a disease with impaired glucose, protein and lipid metabolism, low-grade chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction, is a global public health crisis. We previously demonstrated that Grifola frondosa has bioactivities in improving glycemic responses in diabetic rats. Herein, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of the submerged-culture mycelia and broth of G. frondosa on the peripheral blood cells (PBL) and splenocytes. Male Wistar rats were administered with saline (normal rats) or streptozotocin plus nicotinamide (T2DM rats) and were intragastrically administered with placebo, fermented mycelia, broth, or mycelia plus broth (1 g kg-1 day-1) for two weeks. In normal rats, ingestion of mycelia significantly decreased monocytes and ingestion of mycelia and broth significantly decreased the productions of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 from the PBL and splenocytes. In T2DM rats, ingestion of mycelia, broth, and mycelia plus broth s...
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, Jan 26, 2015
This study investigates the effects of Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilát (TVP, also known as Yun... more This study investigates the effects of Trametes versicolor (L.:Fr.) Pilát (TVP, also known as Yunzhi) on bone properties in diabetic rats. Forty-five 8-week-old male Wistar rats were fed either a chow diet (control) or a high-fat diet throughout the study period of 28 days. Animals in the high-fat-diet group were injected with nicotinamide and streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus (DM). The DM rats were divided into a group receiving distilled water (vehicle) and another group receiving TVP at 0.1g/kg-weight by gavage. Relative to the vehicle group, TVP gavage lowered postprandial blood sugar (225±18 mg/dL for TVP vs. 292±15 mg/dL for vehicle, p<0.001) on day 26. Compared to the vehicle group, TVP mitigated DM-induced bone deterioration as determined by increasing bone volume of proximal tibia (22.8±1.4% for TVP vs. 16.8±1.3% for vehicle, p=0.003), trabecular number (p=0.011), and femoral bone strength (11% in maximal load, 22% in stiffness, 14% in modulus, p<0.001), and ...
JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition, Jan 30, 2015
Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a life-threatening emergency accompanied by inflamma... more Intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) is a life-threatening emergency accompanied by inflammation and organ damage. We compared the mechanisms and the effects of arginine, citrulline, and glutamine on inflammation and intestinal damage. Male Wistar rats underwent 60 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion and either 3 (I/R3) or 24 (I/R24) hours of reperfusion and were orally administered vehicle, arginine, citrulline, or glutamine 15 minutes before reperfusion and at 3, 9, and 21 hours of reperfusion. I/R3 rats experienced jejunal damage and apoptosis, and I/R24 rats had liver dysfunction compared with normal rats (one-way ANOVA, P < .05). Arginine and citrulline administrations improved jejunal morphology, and citrulline and glutamine administrations alleviated the loss of jejunal mass in I/R3 rats. I/R3-increased circulating nitrate/nitrite (NOx), tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 were significantly decreased by citrulline, glutamine and citrulline, and arg...
Pediatric surgery international, 2010
Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that may occur as a sequela of intra-abdominal infect... more Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that may occur as a sequela of intra-abdominal infection. The management of peritonitis includes surgical intervention, antimicrobial therapy, and nutritional support. Arginine has been reported to have beneficial and adverse effects in subjects with inflammation, which might be related to the dose, time, and route of supplementation and the disease severity. So far, the optimal doses of parenteral arginine are not known. In this study, we investigated dose effects of parenterally supplemented arginine on anabolism and arginine-derived metabolites in sub-acute inflammation. Male Wistar rats underwent modified cecal puncture procedure for induction of peritonitis were infused with total parenteral nutrition solutions for 7 days, which contained conventional, low, medium, and high doses of arginine, i.e., 1.61, 2.85, 4.08, and 6.54% of calories from arginine. Healthy, orally fed rats were included as references. On day 7, peritonitic rats ha...
The American journal of physiology, 1997
Growth hormone (GH) action is primarily mediated by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), althoug... more Growth hormone (GH) action is primarily mediated by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), although both growth factors show tissue-selective effects. We investigated the effects of GH, IGF-I, and GH plus IGF-I on jejunal growth and function in rats maintained with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and given recombinant human GH (rhGH) (400 micrograms/day sc, twice daily) and/or rhIGF-I (800 micrograms/day in TPN solution) for 5 days. Administration of GH or IGF-I alone produced similar increases in serum IGF-I levels and body weight; GH plus IGF-I further increased these parameters. TPN reduced mucosal mass, protein and DNA content, villus height, crypt depth, and enterocyte migration rate. IGF-I or GH plus IGF-I produced equivalent increases in all intestinal growth parameters; GH alone had no effect. GH, IGF-I, or GH plus IGF-I reduced TPN-induced increases in sucrase-specific activity. IGF-I, but not GH, attenuated TPN-induced increases in tissue conductance and carbachol-stimulat...
International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 2014
The optimal culture conditions were investigated to maximize the production of mycelial biomass a... more The optimal culture conditions were investigated to maximize the production of mycelial biomass and bioactive ingredients in submerged cultivation of Xylaria nigripes, a Chinese medicinal fungus. The one-factor-at-a-time method was used to explore the effects of medium components, including carbon, nitrogen, mineral sources, and initial pH of the medium and environmental factors, such as culture temperature and rotation speed, on mycelial growth and production of bioactive ingredients. The results indicated that the optimal culture temperature and rotation speed were 25°C and 100 rpm in a medium with 20 g fructose, 6 g yeast extract, and 2 g magnesiun sulfate heptahydrate as carbon, nitrogen, and mineral sources, respectively, in 1 L distilled water with an initial medium pH of 5.5. With optimal medium components and conditions of cultivation, the maximal production of mycelial biomass was 6.64 ± 0.88 g/L, with maximal production of bioactive ingredients such as extracellular polysaccharides (2.36 ± 0.18 mg/mL), intracellular polysaccharides (2.38 ± 0.07 mg/g), adenosine (43.27 ± 2.37 mg/g), total polyphenols (36.57 ± 1.36 mg/g), and triterpenoids (31.29 ± 1.17 mg/g) in a shake flask culture. These results suggest that different bioactive ingredients including intracellular polysaccharides, adenosine, total polyphenols and triterpenoids in mycelia and extracellular polysaccharides in broth can be obtained from one simple medium for submerged cultivation of X. nigripes.
Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 2014
The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic disease with hyperglycemia and impaired immun... more The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a chronic disease with hyperglycemia and impaired immune function, is increasing worldwide. Progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 DM has recently become a target for early intervention. The fruiting bodies (FB) and submerged culture mycelium (CM) of Tremella mesenterica, an edible and medicinal mushroom, have been demonstrated to have antihyperglycemic and immunomodulatory activities in type 1 DM rats. Herein, we investigated the effects of acidic polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan (GX) extracted from CM on the immunocyte responses. Male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) plus nicotinamide (200 mg/kg) for the induction of IGT, and gavaged daily with vehicle, FB, CM, or GX (1 g/kg/day). Rats injected with saline and gavaged vehicle were used as controls. Two weeks later, peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and splenocytes were collected. Ingestion of FB, CM, and GX significantly decreased blood gluco...
Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition, 2013
This study determined factors of preterm delivery in Taiwan. Healthy women (n=520, age 29.1±4.2 y... more This study determined factors of preterm delivery in Taiwan. Healthy women (n=520, age 29.1±4.2 y) at 8-12 weeks of pregnancy were recruited from prenatal clinics. Background information, anthropometrics, biochemical parameters, and dietary intake, collected by 24 h-recall were obtained from the first, second, and third trimesters to delivery. Clinical outcomes of neonates were also collected. The results show that 53.7% of women were primiparous and that the incidence of preterm delivery was 6.2%. Body weight gains in the first trimester and throughout pregnancy were significantly lower in mothers with preterm delivery (preterm group) than in mothers with term delivery (term group, p<0.05). Maternal cholesterol intake, circulating white blood cell counts (WBC) and serum albumin were significantly lower and that serum magnesium and ferritin were significantly higher in the preterm group than in the term group. Maternal weight gain was positively correlated with caloric and nutrie...
British Journal of Nutrition, 2010
Diets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. Th... more Diets that ameliorate the adverse effects of uric acid (UA) on renal damage deserve attention. The effects of casein or soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil on various serum parameters and renal histology were investigated on hyperuricaemic rats. Male Wistar rats administered with oxonic acid and UA to induce hyperuricaemia were fed with casein or soya protein plus palm- or safflower-seed oil-supplemented diets. Normal rats and hyperuricaemic rats with or without allopurinol treatment (150 mg/l in drinking water) were fed with casein plus maize oil-supplemented diets. After 8 weeks, allopurinol treatment and soya protein plus safflower-seed oil-supplemented diet significantly decreased serum UA in hyperuricaemic rats (one-way ANOVA; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). In addition, soya protein and casein attenuated hyperuricaemia-induced decreases in serum albumin and insulin, respectively (two-way ANOVA; P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Safflower-seed oil significantly decreased serum TAG and UA, whereas palm oil significantly increased serum cholesterol, TAG, blood urea N and creatinine. However, soya protein significantly decreased renal NO and nitrotyrosine and palm oil significantly decreased renal nitrotyrosine, TNF-alpha and interferon-gamma and increased renal transforming growth factor-beta. Casein with safflower-seed oil significantly attenuated renal tubulointerstitial nephritis, crystals and fibrosis. Comparing casein v. soya protein combined with palm or safflower-seed oil, the results support that casein with safflower-seed oil may be effective in attenuating hyperuricaemia-associated renal damage, while soya protein with safflower-seed oil may be beneficial in lowering serum UA and TAG.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2008
Grifola frondosa, an edible fungus with a large fruiting body and overlapping caps, has been demo... more Grifola frondosa, an edible fungus with a large fruiting body and overlapping caps, has been demonstrated to be a natural source of health-promoting substances, mainly due to its polysaccharides beta-glucan. By using male Wistar rats injected with saline (normal rats) or nicotinamide plus streptozotocin (diabetic rats), we investigated the effects of an orally ingested placebo (CON and STZ groups), culture mycelium (CGM and SGM groups), broth (CGB and SGB groups), and mycelium plus broth (CGX and SGX groups) of Grifola frondosa on glycemic responses. During the experimental period (from day 0 to day 15), the STZ group had significantly lower body weight compared to the CON group (one-way ANOVA, p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). Moreover, the STZ group had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations at 2 hour-postprandial periods on days 0, 7, and 14 and in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) on day 10, as well as significantly higher serum fructosamine and triglyceride on day 15 compared to the CON group. These diabetes-induced increases were significantly attenuated by administrations of mycelium and/or broth, i.e., the SGM, SGB, and SGX groups. The results of repeated-measures analysis and three-way ANOVA indicated that diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium administration significantly decreases postprandial blood glucose; diabetes mellitus significantly increases, and mycelium and broth administrations significantly decrease serum triglyceride, fructosamine, and blood glucose concentrations; moreover, in the area under the curve in OGTT, p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05. Our results revealed that submerged-culture mycelia and broth of Grifola frondosa have bioactivities for improving glycemic responses.
Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 2004
Tremella aurantia (TA) has been traditionally used as food and crude medicine in Chinese society.... more Tremella aurantia (TA) has been traditionally used as food and crude medicine in Chinese society. The polysaccharide isolated from the fruiting bodies of TA exhibits significant hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mouse models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Diabetes will cause sexual dysfunction in patients. In the present study, we examined if the treatment of TA on IDDM and NIDDM rats will restore steroidogenesis and then the reproductive function. The fruiting bodies (FB), mycelium (TM) and polysaccharide (GX) of TA were fed to the IDDM and NIDDM rats, and testosterone and corticosterone levels in plasma, the weight of steroidogenic organs, and the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein and P450scc enzyme were determined. Plasma testosterone productions were significantly suppressed with the feeding of FB or TM in normal rat (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05). Testosterone productions were also significantly suppressed in IDDM diabetes rats (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), and FB or TM could not restore the inhibitory effects (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference of the testosterone production between normal and NIDDM rats (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). In plasma corticosterone production, there were no differences among control, FB- or TM-fed normal rats (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; 0.05). Corticosterone levels were reduced in IDDM rats compared to control, and FB or TM could restore its level. Corticosterone levels were induced in NIDDM rats compared to control (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), but FB, TM or GX significantly brought the corticosterone back (p &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; 0.05) to the control levels. Considering steroidogenic organs, IDDM rats with or without TA treatments had heavier testis and adrenal glands, but not epididymis, than normal rats with or without TA treatments. There were no effects of TA on the weight of steroidogenic organs among normal and NIDDM rats. However, GX feeding in NIDDM rat had lesser testis weight compared to NIDDM rats. The expression of StAR protein and P450scc enzyme were not different among groups in IDDM and NIDDM rats. Plasma testosterone productions were suppressed in normal rats with the feeding of TA (FB and TM). IDDM rats did have lower testosterone, but not in NIDDM, and FB or TM could not restore the inhibitory effects. The induction of IDDM or NIDDM rats did affect steroidogenesis and steroidogenic organ weights, and the feeding of TA had different effects on steroidogenesis in different types of diabetic rats.
PLoS ONE, 2012
Background: Chronic inflammation accompanied by arginine deficiency, immune dysfunction, and exce... more Background: Chronic inflammation accompanied by arginine deficiency, immune dysfunction, and excess nitric oxide (NO) production is a clinical condition found in patients with peritonitis. A previous study showed that the nonselective NOS inhibitor N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) may facilitate the metabolism of the immune nutrient arginine without altering NO homeostasis in rats with sub-acute peritonitis. Here, we investigated the effects of L-NAME on the immunocytic subpopulation distribution and response.