Boiogito (BOT) ameliorates insulin resistance and diabetes in several animal models;however, the underlying mechanisms for these in vivo effects remain unclear. Thiazolidine derivatives, which are peroxisome prolifera...Boiogito (BOT) ameliorates insulin resistance and diabetes in several animal models;however, the underlying mechanisms for these in vivo effects remain unclear. Thiazolidine derivatives, which are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists for the treatment of type II diabetes, promote adiponectin production by inducing adipocyte differentiation, thereby reducing insulin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of BOT on adipocyte differentiation using cultured human visceral preadipocytes (HVPAds) compared with the thiazolidine derivative troglitazone (TRG). We investigated the effects of BOT (0.125 - 1 mg/mL) and TRG (10 μM) on the differentiation of adipocytes treated with or without tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α: 5 ng/mL). On day 14 of culture, the following adipocyte differentiation marker levels were measured: intracellular lipids, extracellular (i.e., medium) adiponectin, and intracellular differentiation-related genes (PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, adiponectin, differentiation cluster 36, glucose transporter type 4). BOT and TRG increased factors associated with differentiation including lipid, adiponectin, and differentiation-related gene expression levels compared with the controls. The increases in these differentiation markers were inhibited by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (20 μM). Furthermore, TNF-α decreased all differentiation marker levels. The decreases in differentiation markers were inhibited by BOT and TRG;however, these inhibitory effects were blocked by GW9662. The results suggest that BOT increases the synthesis and secretion of adiponectin by promoting differentiation similar to TRG. This study is the first to demonstrate that adipocyte differentiation-promoting activity is a mechanism for the beneficial effects of BOT on diabetes and insulin resistance.展开更多
Background: Women are thought to be more susceptible to stress than men in a stressful society, and reducing stress is crucial for women to maintain their health. Static stretching (SST) is applied in various fields t...Background: Women are thought to be more susceptible to stress than men in a stressful society, and reducing stress is crucial for women to maintain their health. Static stretching (SST) is applied in various fields to not only increase muscle flexibility but also reduce stress. Additionally, conscious slower breathing (CSB) predominates parasympathetic activity, causing a relaxing effect. These results indicate that combining SST and CSB may be more useful in reducing stress. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of this combination remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the combination of SST and CSB on autonomic activity and stress in adult women. Methods: Eleven healthy Japanese adult female participants performed SST with nonconscious natural breathing for 20 min. The same participants performed SST in combination with CSB (2 s inspiratory and 4 s expiratory) for 20 min on another day. Salivary cortisol and chromogranin A levels were measured before and after stretching as stress markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. The coefficient of variation of the R-R interval (CVR-R) and high-frequency component (HF), which reflect parasympathetic nerve activity, and heart rate and low-frequency component (LF)/HF ratio, which reflect sympathetic nerve activity, were measured before, during, and after stretching. Results: SST decreased cortisol levels but with no significant changes in chromogranin A, heart rate, CVR-R, HF, or LF/HF ratio. The combination of SST and CSB increased CVR-R and HF levels in addition to decreasing cortisol levels but with no significant changes in chromogranin A, heart rate, or LF/HF levels. Conclusion: These results indicate that the combination of SST and CSB may increase parasympathetic activity and reduce stress. However, future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes should support this conclusion.展开更多
Keishibukuryogankayokuinin (KBY) is a traditional Japanese herbal medicine widely used to treat skin pigmentation. The scientific basis for its use is, however, unclear, and studies evaluating its mechanism and effect...Keishibukuryogankayokuinin (KBY) is a traditional Japanese herbal medicine widely used to treat skin pigmentation. The scientific basis for its use is, however, unclear, and studies evaluating its mechanism and effectiveness are sparse. In this study, we compared the tyrosinase inhibitory effects of KBY and Keishibukuryogan (KB, which has the same composition of KBY, except Coix Seed [CS]) and CS under exposure to UV radiation as well as under non-exposure conditions. Neonatal human epidermal melanocytes obtained from a darkly pigmented donor were used. These cells were cultured in a final concentration of 500 μg/ml or 1000 μg/ml, to which KBY, KB, and CS were added. After incubation for 72 h, cells were stained with Fontana-Masson stain and counted. Tyrosinase activity was measured by its dopa oxidase activity, and tyrosinase expression was estimated using real-time PCR. For UV radiation, cells were exposed to UVB radiation for 90 s per day for 3 days. Under non-exposure conditions, tyrosinase activity significantly increased with both KBY and KB but significantly decreased with CS, regardless of the concentration. In addition, tyrosinase expression significantly decreased but only with KBY at both concentrations. Under UV radiation exposure, tyrosinase activity significantly increased with KBY and KB at both concentrations while tyrosinase expression significantly decreased with KBY and KB;a significant increase was, however, observed with CS at both concentrations. These results suggest that taking KBY after sunburn is effective against skin pigmentation, and the combination of KB and CS is useful for skin depigmentation.展开更多
We aimed to assess the impact of consuming two Zespri Hayward green kiwifruit a day on 11 healthy women subjects over a period of 4 consecutive weeks. We analyzed the effects of kiwifruit consumption on intestinal, ab...We aimed to assess the impact of consuming two Zespri Hayward green kiwifruit a day on 11 healthy women subjects over a period of 4 consecutive weeks. We analyzed the effects of kiwifruit consumption on intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement related discomfort, bowel movement frequency, peripheral blood flow, skin health, and autonomic nervous system activity. This study was a randomized control trial, consisting of a four-week intervention period. Participants were divided to ensure equal age distributions and then randomly placed into two intervention groups: a kiwifruit consumption group (n = 11) and a control group (no kiwifruit consumption) (n = 5). The kiwifruit consumption group was instructed to consume two kiwifruit a day during the 4-week intervention period, while subjects in the control group were instructed not to consume kiwifruit for the duration of the study. Besides a restriction from eating yogurt and other fruits, subjects were requested to eat their meals as per usual. The results of this study showed a significant decrease in intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement discomfort, and a significant increase in bowel movement frequency, at 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption compared to before consumption. In addition, subjects in the kiwifruit consumption group experienced a significant increase in blood flow, particularly in the index and middle finger at 2 and 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption. Furthermore, subjects in the kiwifruit consumption group experienced a significant increase in skin brightness at 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption compared to before consumption. The results of this study suggest that kiwifruit appears to be a delicious and safe option for intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement discomfort interventions for healthy women. In addition, kiwifruit may aid in increasing bowel movement frequency, peripheral blood flow, and brightness of skin among healthy women as well.展开更多
The RAND Corporation reported that insufficient sleep causes an economic loss of $138 billion (2.92% of GDP) in Japan every year. In this study, we investigated the sleep improvement effect of a novel innovative sleep...The RAND Corporation reported that insufficient sleep causes an economic loss of $138 billion (2.92% of GDP) in Japan every year. In this study, we investigated the sleep improvement effect of a novel innovative sleeping mattress called “AiR SI” (Nishikawa Co., Ltd.) to find a simple method to solve the problem of sleep deprivation. We conducted a 2-week randomized, open-label, crossover, self-controlled study in 14 healthy adults in their 30s to 50s (control: 1 week, AiR SI: 1 week), with sleep quality as the primary endpoint as well as salivary components (cortisol, melatonin) and autonomic nervous function (sympathetic nerve, parasympathetic nerve) as secondary endpoints. Trends toward improvement in sleep were suggested for all the endpoints, regardless of differences in the subject background. The results suggested that the use of AiR SI for 1 week not only improved sleep but normalized both the endocrine and autonomic functions as well. We conclude that, by using a sleeping mattress with a high sleep improvement effect, the user may easily achieve higher labor productivity and have a lower mortality risk. Eliminating sleep deprivation with a sleeping mattress may lead to a reduction in national economic losses and ultimately produce significant economic effects.展开更多
Are there any ways to analyze objectively if any good changes happen to the bodies for the patients with acquired edentulous by getting a treatment to recover occlusion? In this study, we focused on interleukin 6 (IL-...Are there any ways to analyze objectively if any good changes happen to the bodies for the patients with acquired edentulous by getting a treatment to recover occlusion? In this study, we focused on interleukin 6 (IL-6) as inflammatory cytokine, cortisol known as a stress related substance and secretory immune globulin A (SIgA) related to immune reaction, and chose 14 patients who had occlusion reconstructed by the immediately loaded dental implants because occlusion contact with maxillary and mandibular dentition was lost caused by edentulous jaws or maxillary and mandibular teeth crossing each other and their jaw position and central occlusion position could not settle, and verified the relationship with changes of patients’ physical and mental states during the 6 months of the treatment and the effect of the immediately loaded implants treatment by using saliva which was non-invasive and easy to sample in biomarkers in saliva. Moreover for female subjects, the changes of facial color tones were measured by using Robo Skin Analyz-er<sup>?</sup>, a digital image analyzer, to measure the condition of their skin. In conclusion, the positive correlation between the amount of IL-6 and cortisol was not admitted. However, it was admitted that IL-6 tended to increase when a systemic change which interrupted curing such as the interruption of fusion of the implant and the bone was observed even though the patient did not notice any particular symptoms and cortisol tended to increase when the patient noticed discomfort and mentioned any events under stress on his or her medical record. Moreover with the skin color analysis by Robo Skin Analyzer?, the possibility that the occlusion treatment by the immediate implant had an effect on physical and psychological health promotion through the acquisition of the masticatory function and the aesthetic recovery was indicated.展开更多
Background: The optimal breathing pattern (BP) to effectively regulate autonomic nervous activity is yet to be determined. Objective: We aimed to clarify the effects of four BPs (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, and BP-4) on autonom...Background: The optimal breathing pattern (BP) to effectively regulate autonomic nervous activity is yet to be determined. Objective: We aimed to clarify the effects of four BPs (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, and BP-4) on autonomic nervous activity and mood changes. Methods: Eleven healthy adult female volunteers performed each BP in a sitting position for 5 min in a resting state. The time required for one breathing for BP-1 (30 breaths/min), BP-2 (20 breaths/min), BP-3 (15 breaths/min), and BP-4 (10 breaths/min) were 2 s, 3 s, 4 s, and 6 s, respectively. The inspiratory/expiratory time of one breathing was 1 s/1 s, 1 s/2 s, 2 s/2 s, and 2 s/4 s. The high-frequency component (HF) and low-frequency component (LF)/HF ratio during and before (control) performing a BP were calculated from heart rate variability data recorded using the wearable biometric information tracer M-BIT. Three mood changes, which are, “pleasure—unpleasure”, “relaxation—tension”, and “sleepiness—arousal”, in the subjects were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) before and after performing a BP. Results: Slower breathing induced an increase in HF power and a reduction in LF/HF ratio, indicating increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic dominance. Furthermore, VAS revealed that slower breathing increased the tendency to feel “pleasure”, “relaxation”, and “sleepiness”. Conclusion: Our results suggest that slower breathing predominates parasympathetic activity in the autonomic nervous system, resulting in a relaxing effect. This result may help lay the foundation for deriving breathing methods that efficiently regulate an individual’s autonomic activity.展开更多
Purpose: Implant therapy restores masticatory function by restoring lost tooth morphology. It has been shown that mastication contributes not only to food intake and digestion, but also to the improvement of overall h...Purpose: Implant therapy restores masticatory function by restoring lost tooth morphology. It has been shown that mastication contributes not only to food intake and digestion, but also to the improvement of overall health. However, there have been no studies on the effects of implant treatment on electroencephalography (EEG). In this study, we investigated the effects of restoration of masticatory function by implant treatment on EEG and stress. Methods: 13 subjects (6 males, 7 females, age 64.1 ± 5.8 years) who had lost masticatory function due to tooth loss and 11 healthy subjects (6 males, 5 females, age 47.6 ± 2.4 years) as a control group. EEG (θ, α, β waves, α/β ratio) and salivary cortisol were measured before immediate dental implant treatment and every month of treatment for 6 months. EEG (θ, α, β waves, α/β ratio) was measured with a simple electroencephalograph miniature DAQ terminal (Intercross-410, Intercross Co., Ltd., Japan) in a resting closed-eye condition, and salivary cortisol was measured using an ELISA kit. Results: Compared to the control group, the appearance of θ and α waves were significantly decreased and β waves were increased, and α/β ratio was significantly decreased. The cortisol level of the subject group was significantly higher compared with the control group. With the course of implant treatment, the appearance of θ and α waves of the subject group increased, while β waves decreased. However, no significant difference was observed. The α/β ratio of the subject group increased from the first month after implant treatment and increased significantly after 5 and 6 months (0 vs. 5 months: p < 0.05, 0 vs. 6 months: p < 0.01). The cortisol levels in the subject group decreased from the first month after implant treatment and significantly decreased after 3 or 4 months (0 vs. 3 months: p < 0.05, 0 vs. 4 months: p < 0.01). These results suggest that tooth loss causes mental stress, which decreases brain stimulation and affects function. Restoration of masticatory function by implants was suggested to alleviate the effects on brain function and stress.展开更多
5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a natural amino acid that is used as a raw material for the biosynthesis of red-blood-cell hemoglobin in humans and animals. ALA is the subject of research in a wide range of human healt...5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a natural amino acid that is used as a raw material for the biosynthesis of red-blood-cell hemoglobin in humans and animals. ALA is the subject of research in a wide range of human health care fields, including skin care and medicine. This study investigated whether and to what extent cosmetics containing ALA (skin lotions and creams) improved facial-skin condition in women. As such, a double-blind controlled experiment was conducted among 45 women aged 47.0 ± 1.72 years. Participants were divided into two intervention groups, including those who used cosmetics containing ALA (C-ALA, n = 22) and those who used cosmetics without ALA (W-ALA, n = 23). Specifically, participants were instructed to use their assigned cosmetics twice per day (morning and evening) after washing their faces before each application. Inner skin condition and skin-water content were evaluated via VISIA-Evolution and Multi Display Devices at baseline and after four and eight weeks of use. The experiment lasted for a total of eight weeks. A baseline comparison at week four showed that skin moisture content increased significantly for the C-ALA group (p = 0.021). Further, wrinkling significantly decreased at week four among participants in the C-ALA group who were evaluated as having many wrinkles at baseline (p = 0.034). These findings suggest that cosmetics containing ALA have moisturizing effects and reduce wrinkling caused by dryness.展开更多
This study examined the stress-reducing effect on the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system of music with a frequency of 528 Hz, which has recently attracted attention as a “healing” type of music. Nine ...This study examined the stress-reducing effect on the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system of music with a frequency of 528 Hz, which has recently attracted attention as a “healing” type of music. Nine healthy participants (one man and eight women, aged 26 - 37 years) listened to 528 Hz and standard 440 Hz music on separate days. We measured salivary biomarkers of stress (cortisol, chromogranin A, and oxytocin) before and after exposure to music, and continuously recorded the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The Profile of Mood State, 2nd edition, was also administered as a subjective indicator of stress. In the 528 Hz condition, mean levels of cortisol significantly decreased, chromogranin A tended to decrease, and oxytocin significantly increased after music exposure. However, no significant change was observed in any salivary biomarkers in the 440 Hz condition. The ratio of low frequency to high frequency autonomic nervous system activity significantly decreased after exposure to both types of music, and the coefficient of variation of R-R intervals also significantly decreased, but only after exposure to 528 Hz music. Tension-anxiety and Total Mood Disturbance scores were significantly reduced after exposure to 528 Hz music, while there was no significant difference following 440 Hz music. These results suggest that the influence of music on the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system varies depending on the frequency of the music, and furthermore, that 528 Hz music has an especially strong stress-reducing effect, even following only five minutes of exposure.展开更多
Aim: In this study, we explored the effects of dietary fiber on athletic performance. Methods: Twenty healthy college athletes (male/female, 1/1) consumed 6 grams of dietary fiber (Fiberpro, Taiyo Lab Inc., Tokyo) dai...Aim: In this study, we explored the effects of dietary fiber on athletic performance. Methods: Twenty healthy college athletes (male/female, 1/1) consumed 6 grams of dietary fiber (Fiberpro, Taiyo Lab Inc., Tokyo) daily for four weeks and were evaluated for their athletic performance, salivary biomarkers of stress (α-amylase activity pre-post exercise, cortisol, melatonin, and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels), and mood/affect using the Profile of Mood State 2nd edition (POMS 2®). Measurements were taken at baseline (before supplementation), at Week 4 (after 4 weeks of supplementation), and at Week 8 (4 weeks after the completion of supplementation). Results: Results showed that athletic performance and exercise-induced elevation in salivary α-amylase activity improved with Fiberpro supplementation in both men and women. Further, the Anger-Hostility scale in POMS was significantly elevated in men;in women, an increase in Vigor-Activity score, a single index of positive mood, was noted. These findings suggest that Fiberpro may induce differential affective responses in men and women. Meanwhile, Fiberpro did not affect the normal diurnal changes in salivary melatonin and SIgA levels, but it appeared to augment the normal circadian patterns of cortisol, an effect that persisted for a month without Fiberpro intake. We propose that boosting fiber intake in young, healthy athletes may improve gut microbiota and confer resilience against stress.展开更多
We examined the influence of oral malodor on psychological stress among patients with a chief complaint of oral malodor. A total of 101 patients (40 male and 61 female) who visited our clinic with a chief complaint of...We examined the influence of oral malodor on psychological stress among patients with a chief complaint of oral malodor. A total of 101 patients (40 male and 61 female) who visited our clinic with a chief complaint of oral malodor were included in this study. The primary compounds of oral malodor—volatile sulfur compounds (VSC)—were measured using the Oral ChromaTM instrument. Salivary stress markers, cortisol, and chromogranin A were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The mood was measured using the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2). Among the participants, 60.3% had at least one level above the threshold in the following three markers: hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide. The gender distribution was 35 female (57.4%) and 25 male (62.5%). Salivary cortisol levels, a biomarker of stress, did not vary depending on the presence or absence of oral malodor. Chromogranin A levels were higher in the oral malodor female group than in the no oral malodor female group. With respect to the POMS2, regardless of the presence or absence of oral malodor measured using gas chromatography, the participants had higher scores for “Anger-Hostility” and “Fatigue-Inertia”. Analysis by gender showed that “Depression-Dejection” was significantly higher in the oral malodor female group than in the no oral malodor female group. These results suggest that those who are worried about oral malodor have higher psychological stress than those who are not, regardless of the presence or absence of oral malodor measured using gas chromatography.展开更多
Humans and animals give several impressions to their recipients with their postures. In this study, the influence of postures on a body was examined through the perspective of the endocrine system and the autonomic ne...Humans and animals give several impressions to their recipients with their postures. In this study, the influence of postures on a body was examined through the perspective of the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. The subjects were 18 healthy adults (7 males and 11 females). A slouching posture like arching back was defined as a low power pose (LP), and a posture straightening back and throwing out chest is defined as a high power pose (HP). Starting at rest, the subjects took LP posture and changed to HP posture, and their autonomic nervous functions were measured and their saliva was collected before and after taking each posture. In taking LP posture, the decrease of the parasympathetic nervous activity, the increase of the pathetic nervous activity and the increase of chromogranin A in saliva were observed. The increase of the autonomic nervous activity, and the decrease of chromogranin A which had been increased by taking LP posture were observed by taking HP posture. There was no influence on cortisol by taking either of the postures. This study suggested that bad postures such as curving back affected stress reactions through the perspective of the endocrine system and the automatic nervous system.展开更多
In an era where the health-damaging effects of wheat flour (gluten) are increasingly recognized, rice flour has become an important alternative for many people, yet its psychophysiological effects remain largely unkno...In an era where the health-damaging effects of wheat flour (gluten) are increasingly recognized, rice flour has become an important alternative for many people, yet its psychophysiological effects remain largely unknown. Here, we report the potential beneficial effects of rice flour for sleep disturbances in stressed mice. Four-week-old male ddY mice were reared in social isolation for 4 weeks. The control group was reared in a social group. Rice flour was given orally in food to isolated mice at a dose of 2.5 w/w% and 5.0 w/w% for 4 weeks from the start of isolation rearing. MF food was given to the control group. Pentobarbital-induced (40 mg/kg, i.p.) time to sleep induction and righting reflex was measured to determine the effects of rice flour on sleep behavior. Blood samples were obtained after the experiments, and serum corticosterone was measured. Sections from the prefrontal cortex and the brainstem were isolated to measure serotonin, dopamine and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations. We found that the administration of rice flour dose-dependently improved time to sleep and reduced sleep time in socially isolated mice. Blood corticosterone concentrations, which increased after isolation stress, were decreased after the administration of rice flour. Serotonin and dopamine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex which decreased after isolation stress improved after the administration of rice flour. Brainstem IL-6 concentrations increased after isolation stress, but decreased dose-dependently after rice flour administration. Our results suggest that rice flour reverses sleep disturbances in mice induced by social isolation.展开更多
文摘Boiogito (BOT) ameliorates insulin resistance and diabetes in several animal models;however, the underlying mechanisms for these in vivo effects remain unclear. Thiazolidine derivatives, which are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists for the treatment of type II diabetes, promote adiponectin production by inducing adipocyte differentiation, thereby reducing insulin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of BOT on adipocyte differentiation using cultured human visceral preadipocytes (HVPAds) compared with the thiazolidine derivative troglitazone (TRG). We investigated the effects of BOT (0.125 - 1 mg/mL) and TRG (10 μM) on the differentiation of adipocytes treated with or without tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α: 5 ng/mL). On day 14 of culture, the following adipocyte differentiation marker levels were measured: intracellular lipids, extracellular (i.e., medium) adiponectin, and intracellular differentiation-related genes (PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, adiponectin, differentiation cluster 36, glucose transporter type 4). BOT and TRG increased factors associated with differentiation including lipid, adiponectin, and differentiation-related gene expression levels compared with the controls. The increases in these differentiation markers were inhibited by the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (20 μM). Furthermore, TNF-α decreased all differentiation marker levels. The decreases in differentiation markers were inhibited by BOT and TRG;however, these inhibitory effects were blocked by GW9662. The results suggest that BOT increases the synthesis and secretion of adiponectin by promoting differentiation similar to TRG. This study is the first to demonstrate that adipocyte differentiation-promoting activity is a mechanism for the beneficial effects of BOT on diabetes and insulin resistance.
文摘Background: Women are thought to be more susceptible to stress than men in a stressful society, and reducing stress is crucial for women to maintain their health. Static stretching (SST) is applied in various fields to not only increase muscle flexibility but also reduce stress. Additionally, conscious slower breathing (CSB) predominates parasympathetic activity, causing a relaxing effect. These results indicate that combining SST and CSB may be more useful in reducing stress. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of this combination remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the combination of SST and CSB on autonomic activity and stress in adult women. Methods: Eleven healthy Japanese adult female participants performed SST with nonconscious natural breathing for 20 min. The same participants performed SST in combination with CSB (2 s inspiratory and 4 s expiratory) for 20 min on another day. Salivary cortisol and chromogranin A levels were measured before and after stretching as stress markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. The coefficient of variation of the R-R interval (CVR-R) and high-frequency component (HF), which reflect parasympathetic nerve activity, and heart rate and low-frequency component (LF)/HF ratio, which reflect sympathetic nerve activity, were measured before, during, and after stretching. Results: SST decreased cortisol levels but with no significant changes in chromogranin A, heart rate, CVR-R, HF, or LF/HF ratio. The combination of SST and CSB increased CVR-R and HF levels in addition to decreasing cortisol levels but with no significant changes in chromogranin A, heart rate, or LF/HF levels. Conclusion: These results indicate that the combination of SST and CSB may increase parasympathetic activity and reduce stress. However, future randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes should support this conclusion.
文摘Keishibukuryogankayokuinin (KBY) is a traditional Japanese herbal medicine widely used to treat skin pigmentation. The scientific basis for its use is, however, unclear, and studies evaluating its mechanism and effectiveness are sparse. In this study, we compared the tyrosinase inhibitory effects of KBY and Keishibukuryogan (KB, which has the same composition of KBY, except Coix Seed [CS]) and CS under exposure to UV radiation as well as under non-exposure conditions. Neonatal human epidermal melanocytes obtained from a darkly pigmented donor were used. These cells were cultured in a final concentration of 500 μg/ml or 1000 μg/ml, to which KBY, KB, and CS were added. After incubation for 72 h, cells were stained with Fontana-Masson stain and counted. Tyrosinase activity was measured by its dopa oxidase activity, and tyrosinase expression was estimated using real-time PCR. For UV radiation, cells were exposed to UVB radiation for 90 s per day for 3 days. Under non-exposure conditions, tyrosinase activity significantly increased with both KBY and KB but significantly decreased with CS, regardless of the concentration. In addition, tyrosinase expression significantly decreased but only with KBY at both concentrations. Under UV radiation exposure, tyrosinase activity significantly increased with KBY and KB at both concentrations while tyrosinase expression significantly decreased with KBY and KB;a significant increase was, however, observed with CS at both concentrations. These results suggest that taking KBY after sunburn is effective against skin pigmentation, and the combination of KB and CS is useful for skin depigmentation.
文摘We aimed to assess the impact of consuming two Zespri Hayward green kiwifruit a day on 11 healthy women subjects over a period of 4 consecutive weeks. We analyzed the effects of kiwifruit consumption on intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement related discomfort, bowel movement frequency, peripheral blood flow, skin health, and autonomic nervous system activity. This study was a randomized control trial, consisting of a four-week intervention period. Participants were divided to ensure equal age distributions and then randomly placed into two intervention groups: a kiwifruit consumption group (n = 11) and a control group (no kiwifruit consumption) (n = 5). The kiwifruit consumption group was instructed to consume two kiwifruit a day during the 4-week intervention period, while subjects in the control group were instructed not to consume kiwifruit for the duration of the study. Besides a restriction from eating yogurt and other fruits, subjects were requested to eat their meals as per usual. The results of this study showed a significant decrease in intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement discomfort, and a significant increase in bowel movement frequency, at 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption compared to before consumption. In addition, subjects in the kiwifruit consumption group experienced a significant increase in blood flow, particularly in the index and middle finger at 2 and 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption. Furthermore, subjects in the kiwifruit consumption group experienced a significant increase in skin brightness at 4 weeks of kiwifruit consumption compared to before consumption. The results of this study suggest that kiwifruit appears to be a delicious and safe option for intestinal, abdominal, and bowel movement discomfort interventions for healthy women. In addition, kiwifruit may aid in increasing bowel movement frequency, peripheral blood flow, and brightness of skin among healthy women as well.
文摘The RAND Corporation reported that insufficient sleep causes an economic loss of $138 billion (2.92% of GDP) in Japan every year. In this study, we investigated the sleep improvement effect of a novel innovative sleeping mattress called “AiR SI” (Nishikawa Co., Ltd.) to find a simple method to solve the problem of sleep deprivation. We conducted a 2-week randomized, open-label, crossover, self-controlled study in 14 healthy adults in their 30s to 50s (control: 1 week, AiR SI: 1 week), with sleep quality as the primary endpoint as well as salivary components (cortisol, melatonin) and autonomic nervous function (sympathetic nerve, parasympathetic nerve) as secondary endpoints. Trends toward improvement in sleep were suggested for all the endpoints, regardless of differences in the subject background. The results suggested that the use of AiR SI for 1 week not only improved sleep but normalized both the endocrine and autonomic functions as well. We conclude that, by using a sleeping mattress with a high sleep improvement effect, the user may easily achieve higher labor productivity and have a lower mortality risk. Eliminating sleep deprivation with a sleeping mattress may lead to a reduction in national economic losses and ultimately produce significant economic effects.
文摘Are there any ways to analyze objectively if any good changes happen to the bodies for the patients with acquired edentulous by getting a treatment to recover occlusion? In this study, we focused on interleukin 6 (IL-6) as inflammatory cytokine, cortisol known as a stress related substance and secretory immune globulin A (SIgA) related to immune reaction, and chose 14 patients who had occlusion reconstructed by the immediately loaded dental implants because occlusion contact with maxillary and mandibular dentition was lost caused by edentulous jaws or maxillary and mandibular teeth crossing each other and their jaw position and central occlusion position could not settle, and verified the relationship with changes of patients’ physical and mental states during the 6 months of the treatment and the effect of the immediately loaded implants treatment by using saliva which was non-invasive and easy to sample in biomarkers in saliva. Moreover for female subjects, the changes of facial color tones were measured by using Robo Skin Analyz-er<sup>?</sup>, a digital image analyzer, to measure the condition of their skin. In conclusion, the positive correlation between the amount of IL-6 and cortisol was not admitted. However, it was admitted that IL-6 tended to increase when a systemic change which interrupted curing such as the interruption of fusion of the implant and the bone was observed even though the patient did not notice any particular symptoms and cortisol tended to increase when the patient noticed discomfort and mentioned any events under stress on his or her medical record. Moreover with the skin color analysis by Robo Skin Analyzer?, the possibility that the occlusion treatment by the immediate implant had an effect on physical and psychological health promotion through the acquisition of the masticatory function and the aesthetic recovery was indicated.
文摘Background: The optimal breathing pattern (BP) to effectively regulate autonomic nervous activity is yet to be determined. Objective: We aimed to clarify the effects of four BPs (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, and BP-4) on autonomic nervous activity and mood changes. Methods: Eleven healthy adult female volunteers performed each BP in a sitting position for 5 min in a resting state. The time required for one breathing for BP-1 (30 breaths/min), BP-2 (20 breaths/min), BP-3 (15 breaths/min), and BP-4 (10 breaths/min) were 2 s, 3 s, 4 s, and 6 s, respectively. The inspiratory/expiratory time of one breathing was 1 s/1 s, 1 s/2 s, 2 s/2 s, and 2 s/4 s. The high-frequency component (HF) and low-frequency component (LF)/HF ratio during and before (control) performing a BP were calculated from heart rate variability data recorded using the wearable biometric information tracer M-BIT. Three mood changes, which are, “pleasure—unpleasure”, “relaxation—tension”, and “sleepiness—arousal”, in the subjects were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) before and after performing a BP. Results: Slower breathing induced an increase in HF power and a reduction in LF/HF ratio, indicating increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic dominance. Furthermore, VAS revealed that slower breathing increased the tendency to feel “pleasure”, “relaxation”, and “sleepiness”. Conclusion: Our results suggest that slower breathing predominates parasympathetic activity in the autonomic nervous system, resulting in a relaxing effect. This result may help lay the foundation for deriving breathing methods that efficiently regulate an individual’s autonomic activity.
文摘Purpose: Implant therapy restores masticatory function by restoring lost tooth morphology. It has been shown that mastication contributes not only to food intake and digestion, but also to the improvement of overall health. However, there have been no studies on the effects of implant treatment on electroencephalography (EEG). In this study, we investigated the effects of restoration of masticatory function by implant treatment on EEG and stress. Methods: 13 subjects (6 males, 7 females, age 64.1 ± 5.8 years) who had lost masticatory function due to tooth loss and 11 healthy subjects (6 males, 5 females, age 47.6 ± 2.4 years) as a control group. EEG (θ, α, β waves, α/β ratio) and salivary cortisol were measured before immediate dental implant treatment and every month of treatment for 6 months. EEG (θ, α, β waves, α/β ratio) was measured with a simple electroencephalograph miniature DAQ terminal (Intercross-410, Intercross Co., Ltd., Japan) in a resting closed-eye condition, and salivary cortisol was measured using an ELISA kit. Results: Compared to the control group, the appearance of θ and α waves were significantly decreased and β waves were increased, and α/β ratio was significantly decreased. The cortisol level of the subject group was significantly higher compared with the control group. With the course of implant treatment, the appearance of θ and α waves of the subject group increased, while β waves decreased. However, no significant difference was observed. The α/β ratio of the subject group increased from the first month after implant treatment and increased significantly after 5 and 6 months (0 vs. 5 months: p < 0.05, 0 vs. 6 months: p < 0.01). The cortisol levels in the subject group decreased from the first month after implant treatment and significantly decreased after 3 or 4 months (0 vs. 3 months: p < 0.05, 0 vs. 4 months: p < 0.01). These results suggest that tooth loss causes mental stress, which decreases brain stimulation and affects function. Restoration of masticatory function by implants was suggested to alleviate the effects on brain function and stress.
文摘5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a natural amino acid that is used as a raw material for the biosynthesis of red-blood-cell hemoglobin in humans and animals. ALA is the subject of research in a wide range of human health care fields, including skin care and medicine. This study investigated whether and to what extent cosmetics containing ALA (skin lotions and creams) improved facial-skin condition in women. As such, a double-blind controlled experiment was conducted among 45 women aged 47.0 ± 1.72 years. Participants were divided into two intervention groups, including those who used cosmetics containing ALA (C-ALA, n = 22) and those who used cosmetics without ALA (W-ALA, n = 23). Specifically, participants were instructed to use their assigned cosmetics twice per day (morning and evening) after washing their faces before each application. Inner skin condition and skin-water content were evaluated via VISIA-Evolution and Multi Display Devices at baseline and after four and eight weeks of use. The experiment lasted for a total of eight weeks. A baseline comparison at week four showed that skin moisture content increased significantly for the C-ALA group (p = 0.021). Further, wrinkling significantly decreased at week four among participants in the C-ALA group who were evaluated as having many wrinkles at baseline (p = 0.034). These findings suggest that cosmetics containing ALA have moisturizing effects and reduce wrinkling caused by dryness.
文摘This study examined the stress-reducing effect on the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system of music with a frequency of 528 Hz, which has recently attracted attention as a “healing” type of music. Nine healthy participants (one man and eight women, aged 26 - 37 years) listened to 528 Hz and standard 440 Hz music on separate days. We measured salivary biomarkers of stress (cortisol, chromogranin A, and oxytocin) before and after exposure to music, and continuously recorded the activity of the autonomic nervous system. The Profile of Mood State, 2nd edition, was also administered as a subjective indicator of stress. In the 528 Hz condition, mean levels of cortisol significantly decreased, chromogranin A tended to decrease, and oxytocin significantly increased after music exposure. However, no significant change was observed in any salivary biomarkers in the 440 Hz condition. The ratio of low frequency to high frequency autonomic nervous system activity significantly decreased after exposure to both types of music, and the coefficient of variation of R-R intervals also significantly decreased, but only after exposure to 528 Hz music. Tension-anxiety and Total Mood Disturbance scores were significantly reduced after exposure to 528 Hz music, while there was no significant difference following 440 Hz music. These results suggest that the influence of music on the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system varies depending on the frequency of the music, and furthermore, that 528 Hz music has an especially strong stress-reducing effect, even following only five minutes of exposure.
文摘Aim: In this study, we explored the effects of dietary fiber on athletic performance. Methods: Twenty healthy college athletes (male/female, 1/1) consumed 6 grams of dietary fiber (Fiberpro, Taiyo Lab Inc., Tokyo) daily for four weeks and were evaluated for their athletic performance, salivary biomarkers of stress (α-amylase activity pre-post exercise, cortisol, melatonin, and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) levels), and mood/affect using the Profile of Mood State 2nd edition (POMS 2®). Measurements were taken at baseline (before supplementation), at Week 4 (after 4 weeks of supplementation), and at Week 8 (4 weeks after the completion of supplementation). Results: Results showed that athletic performance and exercise-induced elevation in salivary α-amylase activity improved with Fiberpro supplementation in both men and women. Further, the Anger-Hostility scale in POMS was significantly elevated in men;in women, an increase in Vigor-Activity score, a single index of positive mood, was noted. These findings suggest that Fiberpro may induce differential affective responses in men and women. Meanwhile, Fiberpro did not affect the normal diurnal changes in salivary melatonin and SIgA levels, but it appeared to augment the normal circadian patterns of cortisol, an effect that persisted for a month without Fiberpro intake. We propose that boosting fiber intake in young, healthy athletes may improve gut microbiota and confer resilience against stress.
文摘We examined the influence of oral malodor on psychological stress among patients with a chief complaint of oral malodor. A total of 101 patients (40 male and 61 female) who visited our clinic with a chief complaint of oral malodor were included in this study. The primary compounds of oral malodor—volatile sulfur compounds (VSC)—were measured using the Oral ChromaTM instrument. Salivary stress markers, cortisol, and chromogranin A were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The mood was measured using the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2). Among the participants, 60.3% had at least one level above the threshold in the following three markers: hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide. The gender distribution was 35 female (57.4%) and 25 male (62.5%). Salivary cortisol levels, a biomarker of stress, did not vary depending on the presence or absence of oral malodor. Chromogranin A levels were higher in the oral malodor female group than in the no oral malodor female group. With respect to the POMS2, regardless of the presence or absence of oral malodor measured using gas chromatography, the participants had higher scores for “Anger-Hostility” and “Fatigue-Inertia”. Analysis by gender showed that “Depression-Dejection” was significantly higher in the oral malodor female group than in the no oral malodor female group. These results suggest that those who are worried about oral malodor have higher psychological stress than those who are not, regardless of the presence or absence of oral malodor measured using gas chromatography.
文摘Humans and animals give several impressions to their recipients with their postures. In this study, the influence of postures on a body was examined through the perspective of the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. The subjects were 18 healthy adults (7 males and 11 females). A slouching posture like arching back was defined as a low power pose (LP), and a posture straightening back and throwing out chest is defined as a high power pose (HP). Starting at rest, the subjects took LP posture and changed to HP posture, and their autonomic nervous functions were measured and their saliva was collected before and after taking each posture. In taking LP posture, the decrease of the parasympathetic nervous activity, the increase of the pathetic nervous activity and the increase of chromogranin A in saliva were observed. The increase of the autonomic nervous activity, and the decrease of chromogranin A which had been increased by taking LP posture were observed by taking HP posture. There was no influence on cortisol by taking either of the postures. This study suggested that bad postures such as curving back affected stress reactions through the perspective of the endocrine system and the automatic nervous system.
文摘In an era where the health-damaging effects of wheat flour (gluten) are increasingly recognized, rice flour has become an important alternative for many people, yet its psychophysiological effects remain largely unknown. Here, we report the potential beneficial effects of rice flour for sleep disturbances in stressed mice. Four-week-old male ddY mice were reared in social isolation for 4 weeks. The control group was reared in a social group. Rice flour was given orally in food to isolated mice at a dose of 2.5 w/w% and 5.0 w/w% for 4 weeks from the start of isolation rearing. MF food was given to the control group. Pentobarbital-induced (40 mg/kg, i.p.) time to sleep induction and righting reflex was measured to determine the effects of rice flour on sleep behavior. Blood samples were obtained after the experiments, and serum corticosterone was measured. Sections from the prefrontal cortex and the brainstem were isolated to measure serotonin, dopamine and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations. We found that the administration of rice flour dose-dependently improved time to sleep and reduced sleep time in socially isolated mice. Blood corticosterone concentrations, which increased after isolation stress, were decreased after the administration of rice flour. Serotonin and dopamine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex which decreased after isolation stress improved after the administration of rice flour. Brainstem IL-6 concentrations increased after isolation stress, but decreased dose-dependently after rice flour administration. Our results suggest that rice flour reverses sleep disturbances in mice induced by social isolation.
