PMID: 

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2019 ;65(Supplement):S88-S92. PMID: 31619654

Abstract Title: 

Long-Term Ultra-High Hydrostatic Pressurized Brown Rice Intake Prevents Bone Mineral Density Decline in Elderly Japanese Individuals.

Abstract: 

Bone embrittlement with aging, namely osteoporosis, is characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, and can lead to increased risk of fracture. The development of functional foods that can prevent geriatric diseases is in progress. Our focus was on brown rice because of its properties. An interventional study using of ultra-high hydrostatic pressurized brown rice (UHHPBR) for human has not yet been conducted. In this study, we investigated whether long-term dietary intake of UHHPBR prevents aging-related decline of bone mineral density in elderly Japanese individuals. Elderly participants (n=40; mean 73.1 y) in Iinan-cho, Shimane, Japan, were randomly divided into two groups. The UHHPBR-intake group (n=20) consumed 100 g of UHHPBR and 100 g of white rice (WR) per day for 12 mo, while the WR-intake group (n=20) consumed 200 g of WR per day. Pre- and 12-mo post-intervention, bone mineral density was evaluated by quantitative ultrasound. After 12 mo of intervention, the UHHPBR group's bone mineral density was significantly higher than the WR group's bone mineral density. Moreover, chronic intake of UHHPBR had no adverse side effects on participants. Long-term oral UHHPBR intake may have beneficial effects on bone mineral density decline and may attenuate osteoporosis in the elderly.

read more

PMID: 

Mol Neurobiol. 2016 08 ;53(6):4247-4260. Epub 2015 Jul 30. PMID: 26223801

Abstract Title: 

Extremely Low Frequency Magnetic Field (ELF-MF) Exposure Sensitizes SH-SY5Y Cells to the Pro-Parkinson's Disease Toxin MPP(.).

Abstract: 

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss, with an etiopathogenesis involving both genetic and environmental factors. The occupational/residential exposure to the electromagnetic fields has been recently associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases; it has been thus proposed that the extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) may contribute to neurodegenerative etiopathogenesis, as its interaction with biological systems directly impairs redox homeostasis in specific areas of the brain. The molecular mechanisms elicited by ELF-MF, and their potential involvement in PD onset, still remain unclear. To this end, we set up a generator of ELF-MF able to stably and homogeneously reproduce environmental prolonged exposure to ELF-MF (50 Hz, 1 mT). Results obtained indicate that ELF-MF exposure alters cell response of SH-SY5Y cells to MPP(+). We demonstrate that ELF-MF does not affect per se survival, shape, and morphology of both proliferating and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells but significantly impairs redox homeostasis and thiolcontent, triggering an increase in protein carbonylation. As a result, toxicity of MPP(+), even at low doses, is highly enhanced in ELF-MF-exposed cells due to a significant increase in ROS levels, potentiation of oxidative damage, and induction of a caspase-dependent apoptosis. Pre-incubation withthe thiol antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine and GSH ethyl-ester significantly reduces the extent of oxidative damage and protects cells from death induced by the combined treatment ELF-MF/MPP(+). Taken overall, our results demonstrate the redox-based molecular interaction between ELF-MF and PD neurotoxins in vitro, and open a new scenario for defining the synergy of environmental factors in PD onset.

read more

PMID: 

Case Rep Med. 2019 ;2019:4601304. Epub 2019 Jun 25. PMID: 31341481

Abstract Title: 

Statin-Associated Necrotizing Autoimmune Myositis Complicated by an Uncommon Adverse Effect to Treatment.

Abstract: 

Statin-associated necrotizing autoimmune myositis (NAM) is an autoimmune condition characterized by severe acute-onset proximal muscle weakness, a very high creatinine kinase (CK) level, and prominent myofiber necrosis and minimal lymphocytic infiltration on muscle biopsy. Unlike self-limited statin myopathy, this condition usually requires aggressive immunomodulation therapy to assist recovery and prevent future disability. In this case report, we present a patient who developed progressive muscle weakness after taking atorvastatin for one year. At initial presentation, her CK level was 28,000 U/L. She was diagnosed with statin-associated NAM and started on high-dose intravenous solumedrol, mycophenolate, and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. However, she subsequently developed acute bilateral vision loss and right side hemineglect; she was diagnosed with posterior reversibleencephalopathy syndrome (PRES), thought to be a possible delayed adverse reaction to IVIG. IVIG was discontinued, and the patient was treated with supportive therapy. At six-month follow-up, she had significant improvement in muscle strength and vision.

read more

PMID: 

J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2019 ;65(Supplement):S93-S99. PMID: 31619656

Abstract Title: 

Cholesterol Lowering and Antioxidative Effect of Pregerminated Brown Rice in Hypercholesterolemic Rats.

Abstract: 

Pregerminated brown rice (GBR) is assumed to be more beneficial than polished white rice (WR), with regard to nutrition and cardiovascular health. To support this with scientific evidence, cholesterol-lowering and antioxidative effects of GBR were studied in the present investigation. The most popular rice variety in Bangladesh BIRI-29 was used to prepare GBR and WR. Initially, we analyzed the proximate composition, antioxidative phytochemicals, in vitro 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-free radical scavenging ability and anti-hemolytic effects of GBR. To examine the dietary impact and possible benefits of the GBR, experimentally-induced hypercholesterolemic (HC, 1% cholesterol) rats were fed with GBR against WR for 12 wk. At the end, plasma total cholesterol (TC), low- and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), fecal TC, and hepatic TC, lipid peroxide (LPO) and proinflammatory TNFα levels were determined. Relative to WR, GBR contained higher amounts of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, β-carotene and lycopene, and exhibited a stronger in vitro DPPH-free radical scavenging ability and antihemolytic potentials. Levels of plasma TC, LDL-C, TG, and hepatic TC and TG significantly decreased, while plasma HDL-C and fecal TC levels significantly increased in the GBR-fed HC-rats, indicating dietary GBR demonstrates a stronger antilipidemic effect than WR. The hepatic levels of LPO and TNFα also decreased (p

read more

PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Oct 15 ;20(20). Epub 2019 Oct 15. PMID: 31619003

Abstract Title: 

Effects of a Flavonoid-Rich Extract fromJuice on a Diet-Induced Obese Zebrafish.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a pathological condition that has reached epidemic proportions; hence, it is necessary to find novel strategies aimed at fighting this disease. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a flavonoid-rich extract of orange () juice (OJe) in diet-induced obese zebrafish.METHODS: Adult zebrafish were divided into four diet groups: (i) normally fed (NF); (ii) overfed (OF); (iii) NF supplemented with OJe (5 mL/L in fish water; NF + OJe); and (iv) OF supplemented with OJe (OF + OJe). Each week, body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) were measured, and, at the end of the fifth week, euthanized zebrafish were processed for both microscopic evaluations and qPCR analyses.RESULTS: In OF zebrafish, OJe significantly decreased both BW and BMI values and lowered the visceral adipose tissue, while it had little effect in the NF group. Moreover, it significantly reduced adipocyte cell size in both NF and OF groups in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues, as well as their number in OF fish. Finally, OJe modulated some obesity-related genes, such as leptin A, ghrelin, orexin, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), and neuropeptide Y (NPY), in both gut and brain.CONCLUSION: This study adds new insights into the anti-obesity properties of orange juice and its flavonoids, suggesting their role as weight management agents through a lipolytic action linked to a restoration of metabolism-regulating gene expression.

read more

PMID: 

Bioelectromagnetics. 2013 Dec ;34(8):618-29. Epub 2013 Sep 25. PMID: 24217848

Abstract Title: 

Effects of low intensity static magnetic field on FTIR spectra and ROS production in SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells.

Abstract: 

Biological effects of man-made electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been studied so far by experimental approaches exposing animals and cell cultures to EMFs. However, the evidence for cell toxicity induced by static magnetic field (SMF) is still uncertain. We investigated the effects produced by the exposure of human SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells to a uniform magnetic field at intensities of 2.2 mT, which is less than the recommended public exposure limits set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). A decrease of membrane mitochondrial potential up to 30% was measured after 24 h of exposure to SMF in SH-SY5Y cells, and this effect was associated with reactive oxygen species production increase. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that exposure to a static magnetic intensity around 2.2 mT changed the secondary structure of cellular proteins and lipid components. The vibration bands relative to the methylene group increased significantly after 4 h of exposure, whereas further exposure up to 24 h produced evident shifts of amide I and II modes and a relative increase inβ-sheet contents with respect to α-helix components. Our study demonstrated that a moderate SMF causes alteration in cell homeostasis, as indicated by FTIR spectroscopy observations of changes in protein structures that are part of cell response to magnetic field exposure.

read more

PMID: 

Bioelectromagnetics. 2012 Dec ;33(8):641-51. Epub 2012 Apr 25. PMID: 22535669

Abstract Title: 

Short-term exposure to 50 Hz ELF-EMF alters the cisplatin-induced oxidative response in AT478 murine squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Abstract: 

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of cisplatin and an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on antioxidant enzyme activity and the lipid peroxidation ratio, as well as the level of DNA damage and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in AT478 carcinoma cells. Cells were cultured for 24 and 72 h in culture medium with cisplatin. Additionally, the cells were irradiated with 50 Hz/1 mT ELF-EMF for 16 min using a solenoid as a source of the ELF-EMF. The amount of ROS, superoxide dismutase (SOD) isoenzyme activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, DNA damage, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed. Cells that were exposed to cisplatin exhibited a significant increase in ROS and antioxidant enzyme activity. The addition of ELF-EMF exposure to cisplatin treatment resulted in decreased ROS levels and antioxidant enzyme activity. A significant reduction in MDA concentrations was observed in all of the study groups, with the greatest decrease associated with treatment by both cisplatin and ELF-EMF. Cisplatin induced the most severe DNA damage; however, when cells were also irradiated with ELF-EMF, less DNA damage occurred. Exposure to ELF-EMF alone resulted inan increase in DNA damage compared to control cells. ELF-EMF lessened the effects of oxidative stress and DNA damage that were induced by cisplatin; however, ELF-EMF alone was a mild oxidative stressor and DNA damage inducer. We speculate that ELF-EMF exerts differential effects depending on the exogenous conditions. This information may be of value for appraising the pathophysiologic consequences of exposure to ELF-EMF.

read more

PMID: 

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2019 Sep 21. Epub 2019 Sep 21. PMID: 31613843

Abstract Title: 

Inhibition of Endothelial Dysfunction by Dietary Flavonoids and Preventive Effects Against Cardiovascular Disease.

Abstract: 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, and heart failure, accounts for many deaths, and its increasing incidence is a worldwide concern. Accumulating evidence suggests that the elevated risk of CVD caused by dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells and resultant arteriosclerosis can be mitigated by increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. These foods contain phytochemicals such as polyphenols and carotenoids, as well as dietary fiber. Flavonoids of the polyphenol class are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea, and wine. Several studies have indicated that flavonoids reduce CVD mortality by inhibiting endothelial dysfunction. Flavonoids have a common carbon skeleton and are classified as flavonols, flavones, flavanols, flavanones, anthocyanidins, and isoflavones. In this review, we discuss recent progress in identifying the mechanisms by which dietary flavonoids improve vascular endothelial cell function. Further, we describe the beneficial role that these flavonoids may play in preventing CVD caused by endothelial dysfunction-related atherosclerosis.

read more

PMID: 

Korean J Physiol Pharmacol. 2015 Jan ;19(1):15-20. Epub 2014 Dec 31. PMID: 25605992

Abstract Title: 

Extremely low frequency magnetic field modulates the level of neurotransmitters.

Abstract: 

This study was aimed to observe that extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) may be relevant to changes of major neurotransmitters in rat brain. After the exposure to ELF-MF (60 Hz, 2.0 mT) for 2 or 5 days, we measured the levels of biogenic amines and their metabolites, amino acid neurotransmitters and nitric oxide (NO) in the cortex, striatum, thalamus, cerebellum and hippocampus. The exposure of ELF-MF for 2 or 5 days produced significant differences in norepinephrine and vanillyl mandelic acid in the striatum, thalamus, cerebellum and hippocampus. Significant increases in the levels of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were also observed in the striatum, thalamus or hippocampus. ELF-MF significantly increased the concentration of dopamine in the thalamus. ELF-MF tended to increase the levels of amino acid neurotransmitters such as glutamine, glycine andγ -aminobutyric acid in the striatum and thalamus, whereas it decreased the levels in the cortex, cerebellum and hippocampus. ELF-MF significantly increased NO concentration in the striatum, thalamus and hippocampus. The present study has demonstrated that exposure to ELF-MFs may evoke the changesin the levels of biogenic amines, amino acid and NO in the brain although the extent and property vary with the brain areas. However, the mechanisms remain further to be characterized.

read more

PMID: 

J Altern Complement Med. 2019 Oct 10. Epub 2019 Oct 10. PMID: 31599646

Abstract Title: 

Treating Uncontrolled Hypertension withWhen Standard Treatment Is Insufficient: Pilot Intervention.

Abstract: 

To assess the use of(HS), known as karkade in Jordan, in cases of uncontrolled hypertension, either with or without medication, as validated by several clinical trials.A multicentric pilot clinical study.Outside a refugee camp in Jordan.Thirty-eight participants with blood pressure (BP) above 140/90 mmHg consumedtea.Consumption of karkade tea containing 10 g of HS/0.5 L daily. This dosage was increased to 15 g of HS/1 L and to 20 g of HS/1 L during the second and third weeks, respectively, if their BP was still high.The primary outcome measurement was blood measurement taken once a week. Secondary outcome measurements were satisfaction, possible side effects, and interactions with other medications.Of the 38 participants, 29 finished the program, 72% of whom were taking antihypertensive medication due to uncontrolled hypertension and 28% of whom were not.was generally well tolerated: 38% of participants reached the target BP at the end of the study and 65% saw their systolic BP decrease by at least 10 mmHg.(karkade) is generally well tolerated and seems to be helpful in treating uncontrolled hypertension, with or without medication.

read more