Soy Protein Research(Japan)

33-1

Physiological Function of Highly Purified Soy Proteins (Part III)

Reiko URADE*1 and Mitsutaka KOHNO2

1Laboratory of Food Design and Development, Division of Agronomy and Horticultural Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011
2 Food Science Institute, Fuji Oil Co., LTD., Osaka 598-8540

ABSTRACT
Soy protein isolate is known to have several beneficial effects on human health, such as lowering the cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in the serum. Soy protein isolate is composed of the major seed storage proteins glycinin and β-conglycinin, and lipophilic proteins (LP), to which a large amount of phospholipids is adsorbed. In this study, the effects of untreated LP and delipidated LP (DLP) on serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were determined. Young male Wistar rats (6-week-old) were fed high cholesterol diets containing 22.5% casein (casein diet), 11.25% casein and 11.25% LP (LP diet), or 11.25% casein and 11.25% DLP (DLP diet)
for 14 days. The serum triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the DLP diet group than in the casein diet group, but not in the LP diet group. The fecal excretion of triacylglycerol or cholesterol was significantly higher in the DLP diet group than in the casein diet and/or LP diet groups.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 1-5, 2012.

Key words : lipophilic proteins, phospholipids, serum triacylglycerol, serum cholesterol, rat
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33-2

Prospective Study of the Preventive Effect of Intensive Dietary Soy Intake on Atherosclerosis in an Urban General Population (PartII)

Yoshihiro KOKUBO*1, Yoko HURUKAWA2 and Mariko BANNO3

1Department of Preventive Cardiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka 565-0873
2 Faculty of Health Science, Kyoto Koka Women's University, Kyoto 615-0882
33Shcool of Human Environmental Sciences, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Mukogawa Women's University, Nishinomiya 663-8558

ABSTRACT
Background and Purpose: Soybean has been found to improve dyslipidemia, but there is no study on the association between dietary intake of soybean and the incidence of dyslipidemia in a general population. Using the subjects of the Suita study, the relation of the incidence of life-style-related disease risk to soy product categories was examined. Methods: Among the subjects who participated in the Suita study, 2,953 men and women (mean age: 57.8 years old) underwent medical examination between January, 1994 and December, 1996. A food frequency questionnaire and a lifestyle questionnaire were conducted. Hypertension was defi ned as blood pressure >140/90 mmHg or antihypertensive drug use. Diabetes was defined as fasting or occasional blood glucose >126 mg/100mL or >200 mg/100mL, respectively, or use of anti-diabetic medication. Dyslipidemia was defined as non-HDL cholesterol (=[total cholesterol]-[HDL cholesterol]) >170 mg/100mL. The risk of incident hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia was analyzed by the Cox proportional-hazards model with respect to soy products categories. Results: Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confi dence intervals [CIs]) of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were 0.78 (0.61-0.99) and 0.60 (0.36-0.98) respectively in subjects with daily intake of miso soup, compared with those seldom consuming miso soup. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) of dyslipidemia were 0.80(0.66-0.97), 0.77 (0.62-0.96), and 0.71 (0.53-0.94) in subjects with intakes of natto of 1 to 2 times per week, 3 to 4 times per week, and daily respectively, compared with those seldom consuming natto. Conclusions: In an urban general population, daily miso soup intake may prevent hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Increase of natto intake may prevent dyslipidemia for a dose response.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 6-12, 2012.

Key words : Soy, miso soup, natto, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, prospective study

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33-3

Study of the Molecular Targets of Metabolic Improvement Caused by Soy Protein Intake (PartI)

Ryuichiro SATO*1, Makoto SHIMIZU1, Hiroyasu INOUE2 and Rieko NAKATA2

1Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657
2Department of  Food Science and Nutrition, Nara Women's University, Nara 630-8506

ABSTRACT
In the current experiments we used β-conglycinin or lipophilic proteins (LP) as a dietary protein source in comparison to casein. When Syrian hamsters were fed a LP diet containing high fat and 2% cholesterol for 4 weeks, its supposed serum cholesterol-lowering effect was not observed. In contrast, the β-conglycinin diet significantly reduced weight gain as compared with the casein diet. When C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet containing either casein or β-conglycinin for 9 weeks, the β-conglycinin diet lowered serum glucose, cholesterol, and insulin concentrations, and weight gain. The β-conglycinin diet produced positive changes in hepatic gene expression as reported previously. When these diets were fed to PPARα-deficient mice, most effects of the β-conglycinin diet were not abolished, suggesting that β-conglycinin may exert its beneficial effects without involving PPARα. We found a novel gene that was weakly induced by the β-conglycinin diet, and have been focusing on its functions by which carbohydrate and lipid metabolism are regulated in response to β-conglycinin feeding.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 13-16, 2012.

Key words : β-conglycinin, lipophilic proteins, PPARα, cholesterol
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33-4

Isolation and Functional Characterization of Potent Receptors Involved in Insect-Derived Elicitor Recognition in Soybean Cells

Gen-ichiro ARIMURA1, 2, Abdelaziz RAMADAN1, 2, 3, Keiichiro NEMOTO3, Hiroyuki TAKEDA3, Rika OZAWA1, Massimo MAFFEI4 and Tatsuya SAWASAKI3

1Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu 520-2113
2Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502
3Cell-free Science and Technology Research Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8577
4The University of Torino, Torino, Italy 10124

ABSTRACT
Upon herbivore attack, plants respond to two initial, herbivore-derived factors (physical damage and chemical elicitors included in their saliva). In plants, immunity is initiated through pattern recognition receptors in response to several biotic stresses to provide the fi rst line of inducible defense. Despite the numerous elicitors perceived by plants, however, none of the pattern recognition receptors for insect salivary elicitors have so far been identified so far. As oligosaccharides are predicted to be one of the insect salivary elicitors and a receptor kinase CERK1 (Chitin Elicitor Receptor Kinase) has been identified as critical receptors for oligosaccharide signaling in rice and Arabidopsis, in the current study we screened the characteristics of soybean CERK1-homogous (receptor-like kinase [RLK]) genes which enabled an interation with a component in the regurgitant of Spodoptera litura . Eight members of CERK1 homologues synthesized by in vitro transcription and cell-free protein synthesis exhibited auto-phosphorylation activity. Therefore, the synthesized proteins were analyzed with the biacore system that enables finding the ability of the biomolecule of elicitors to interact with a specific binding protein. Our preliminary analysis showed that one of the nine CERK1-homologous proteins interacted with regurgitant component(s) from S. litura . In future research, we intend to assess the characteristic of this receptor, characterize the specific elicitor, and mine other sets of potent receptors involved in elicitor recognition in plant cells.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 17-20, 2012.

Key words : elicitors, herbivore, oligosaccharide, receptor-like kinase, soybean
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33-5

Basic Analysis of Defenses Against Nematode Infection in Plants

Shinichiro SAWA*

Graduate school of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555

ABSTRACT
Because of their agricultural importance, the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines , which infects soybean (Glycine max ), and Meloidogyne incognita , which infects many crops, have emerged as good research models to understand the signaling, perception, and response events during plant-nematode interactions. The recent advances in our understanding of the cellular, physiological, and molecular bases of legume-nematode interactions are merging at the crossroads of plantmicrobe interactions and plant developmental biology. On the one hand, the CLE peptide hormone is the molecule responsible for the control of plant meristem activity, and CLE genes are conserved in many plants. On the other hand, in the animal kingdom, only nematodes that are infective of plants have the CLE gene. This CLE gene of nematodes is likely to be functional in the plants. Once nematodes infect roots, they redifferentiate root cells into multinucleated giant cells, as source of nutrition, by injection of various eff ector proteins including the CLE peptides of nematodes. In this study, to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the infection process of nematodes, nematode infection experiments with Arabidospsis mutant and marker transgenic plants were performed. The rate of nematode infection suggests that genes related to dedifferentiation, redifferentiation, the auxin signaling pathway and the cyclin signaling pathway are required for nematodes to infect plants.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 21-25, 2012.

Key words : nematode, Arabidopsis, CLE, peptide, molecular mechanism
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33-6

Metabolome Quantitative Locus Analysis in Soybean

Yuji SAWADA*

RIKEN Plant Science Center, Yokohama 230-0045

ABSTRACT
Metabolite quantitative trait locus (mQTL) analysis has great potential for discovering the associations involving diverse plant genes and metabolites. As a practical metabolic phenotyping, we have established widely targeted metabolomics using automated optimization of selected reaction monitoring (SRM) in 700 standard compounds. To detect the un-known metabolites, we also established a large-scale SRM assay system for thousands of un-targeted MS/MS tags (MS2Ts) obtained by plant extracts. As the populations for linkage based QTL mapping, soybean recombinant inbred lines (RILs) have been constructed from Glycine max (cultivated species) and Glycine soja (wild type accession). G. soja is expected to be a useful genetic resource for molecular breeding of soybean. Using our metabolomics platform, a total of 16 SRMs derived from 4 standard compounds and 12 MS2Ts were significantly associated with the four major mQTLs (LOD values > 10) in TK780 (G. max) x B01167 (G. soja) RILs, which were distributed from NBRP (Legume Base). The annotations of associated SRMs were flavonoids, phenolic compounds and unknown metabolites, which were highly accumulated in G. soja . Unfortunately, no significant mQTL was found in G. max x G. max RILs. These results suggested that the genetic resources of G. soja are useful for epoch-making metabolic engineering in soybean.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 26-30, 2012.

Key words : Metabolomics, large-scale SRM assay system, QTL, G. soja
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33-7

Functional Analyses of cGMP/NO Signaling and MYB Transcription Factor Regulating Gene Expression of Soybean isoflavone-biosynthetic Enzymes

Hamad Abu ZAHRA, Moeko DOI and Hiroshi YAMAGATA*

Division of Applied Chemistry in Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501

ABSTRACT
Expression of several genes encoding flavonoid-biosynthetic enzymes and the level of isoflavone and anthocyanine in soybean (Glycine max L.) are regulated by cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) and nitric oxide (NO). Chalcone synthases, GmCHS7 and GmCHS8, are key enzymes controlling the isoflavonoid level in the seeds, and GmMYB176 regulating GmCHS8 expression affects isoflavonoid synthesis. Here we analyzed the functional relationship between cGMP signaling and GmMYB176 on the activation of GmCHS8 promoter. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the transcript level of GmCHS8 was increased 9.5-fold with cGMP, and the cycloheximide did not inhibit the induction of GmCHS8 by cGMP, indicating de novo synthesis of protein is not necessary for this effect. The level of GmMYB176 transcript was not increased by cGMP. Both cGMP and GmMYB176 could trans-activate GmCHS8 promoter in transient gene expression assay using protoplast of soybean SB-P cells. Also it was found that cGMP activated Unit I sequence but not MYB176 binding sequence in the GmCHS8 promoter. We have previously reported the Unit I-independent activation of gene expression by cGMP for soybean chalcone reductase (CHR), suggesting that cGMP responsible cis - elements in the promoters of genes encoding flavonoid-biosynthetic enzymes are diverse. DNA microarray analysis using the Arabidopsis T87 suspension culture showed that the expression of many genes were enhanced or repressed by cGMP and/or NO. cGMP/NO responsible sequences in the promoters of genes encoding ferritin1 and nicotianamine synthase1 were determined and compared to each other.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 31-37, 2012.

Key words : flavonoid, isoflavone, gene expression, cGMP, MYB transcription factor
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33-8

Bioactive Substances Contained in Discharges Generated during Soybean Oil Refi nement-A Search for Weight-Loss Promoting Compounds-

Nagao TOTANI*

Department of Nutritional Physiology, Faculty of Nutrition, Kobe-Gakuin University, Kobe 651-2180

ABSTRACT
The number of over-weight Japanese, especially men between 20-60 years old, has been increasing. Proper diet and physical exercise have long been recommended to reduce obesity, but these are often not easy to maintain in daily life. We reported previously that soybean oil heated with soybean protein under reduced pressure followed by fi ltration (Soy Oil) showed weight-loss promoting effects in rats, and that ferulic and gallic acids contained in vegetable have a much more pronounced effect when esterifi ed. In the present study, the weight-loss promoting substances were found to exist in the polar fraction of Soy Oil. In addition, the existence of the these substances in crude soybean and clay-adsorbed oils was investigated by instrumental analyses as the method for Soy Oil preparation is partly similar to the process used in manufacturing commercial soybean oil. Results show that the crude soybean oil polar fraction contained acylglycerols, phenolic compounds and fatty acids similar to those in the Soy Oil polar fraction. The clay-adsorbed oil polar fraction consisted of acylglycerols as main components and phenolic compounds in addition to aldehydes: remarkable decreases in double bond signals and aldehydes are due to oxidation. Further study is expected because crude soybean oil should be a source of weight-loss promoting substances, although the chemical structures of the substances were not identified.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 38-45, 2012.

Key words : weight-loss promoting compound, soybean oil, polar fraction, crude oil
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33-9

Study of the Mechanisms of Yeast Glycogen Accumulation Caused by Soy Peptides

Shingo IZAWA*

Laboratory of Microbial Engineering, Department of Applied Biology, Graduate School of Scientifi c Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585

ABSTRACT
We have previously reported that the cultivation of yeast cells in media containing soy peptides improves the tolerance against freeze-thaw stress and prevents the formation of lipid bodies in Sacchaomyces cerevisiae. Additionally, we found that soy peptides increase the level of cellular glycogen. DNA microarray analysis indicated that the up-regulation of glycogen biosynthesis system was caused by the cultivation with soy peptides. Compared with yeast cells cultured with casein peptone, cells cultured with soy peptides showed an increase in the levels of cellular glycogen. The cultivation with soy peptides caused activation of general stress responsive transcription factors Msn2/Msn4 and subsequently resulted in the increased levels of the glycogen synthases (Gsy1 and Gsy2) and branching enzyme (Glc3). Additionally, expression of various heat shock proteins such as Hsp30 was also induced by soy peptides. These results suggest that cultivation with soy peptides is likely a kind of stress condition for yeast cells, and that it is possible to induce the accumulation of glycogen by the combination of soy peptides and other stresses.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 46-49, 2012.

Key words : soy peptides, baker's yeast, glycogen, heat shock proteins
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33-10

Effect of Dietary Soy Protein on Gastrointestinal Hormones that Cause an Increase in the Amount of Insulin Secretion

Mina FUJINO1, Fumikazu HAYASHI1, Ayaka IKATA1, Akemi HOSODA1, 2,
Azumi YAMAGISHI1, 3, Tomoe FUKUMURA1, Dong-Ho KIM1 and Shigeru SAEKI*1

1Department of Food and Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Human Life Science, Osaka City University, Osaka 558-8585
2Faculty of Healthcare, Tokyo Healthcare University, Tokyo 154-8568
3Faculty of Education, Art and Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560

ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether dietary proteins would affect type 2 diabetes symptoms. Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a model for type 2 diabetes, and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats, a genetic control for OLETF, were fed a casein- or soy protein isolate (SPI)-containing diet with or without 30% lard for 9 weeks. Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in LETO rats were unaffected by dietary protein and fat content. Glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in OLETF rats were spontaneously impaired, which condition was aggravated by a high-fat diet containing casein, but not by that containing SPI. Plasma levels of active glucagonlike peptide 1 (GLP-1) in LETO rats were unaffected by dietary protein and fat content. Plasma levels of active GLP-1 in OLETF rats were significantly increased by a high-fat diet containing SPI, but not by that containing casein, irrespective of plasma insulin levels. These results indicate that SPI will be effective in stimulating GLP-1 secretion and improving glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 50-54, 2012.

Key words : type 2 diabetes, incretin hormone, insulin
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33-11

Transcriptome Analysis of the Effect of Soy Protein on Improvement of Magnesium-deficient Diet-induced Disorder in Rats

Tomoko ISHIJIMA*, Shogo YONEMITSU, Toshiaki NAKAMURA, Yuji NAKAI and Keiko ABE

ILSI Japan-Endowed Chair of Functional Food Science and Nutrigenomics, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657

ABSTRACT
The dietary protein sources, casein and soy protein isolate (SPI), differed from each other in terms of the effect of dietary Mg-deficiency on the metabolism of rats. In detail, 4-week-old male Wistar rats were fed 4 formulas with different dietary Mg levels and protein sources for 4 weeks. As a result, the serum non-esterifi ed fatty acid level was significantly decreased when rats were fed the Mg-deficient SPI diet. Hepatic DNA microarray analysis was conducted, with the result that, in dietary Mg deficiency, casein feeding significantly changed the expression of 660 genes, while SPI feeding changed that of 419 genes. The significantly changed genes in rats fed the Mg-deficient diet included transcription factor sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1) and genes involved in cholesterol metabolism. These two changes differ between the dietary protein sources.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 55-60, 2012.

Key words : soy protein isolate, Mg deficiency, lipid metabolism, DNA microarray, rat
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33-12

Effects of Soy Protein Isolate on the Phylogenetic Composition of Gut Microflora

Fumito TANI*1, 2, Ho Le Quynh CHAU2, 3, Natsumi KAWAGUCHI1,
Masahiro NAKAMOTO1, 4 and Tetsuya MASUDA1, 2

1Laboratory of Food Environmental Science, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502
2Laboratory of Global Food Science, Department of Natural Resources, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502
3Present address: Faculty of Animal Sciences, Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue City, Vietnam
4Present address: Food Safety and Consumer Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tokyo 100-8950

ABSTRACT
Numerous gut microflora reside in the gastrointestinal tract to form mutualistic symbiosis with host animals. However, it remains unknown about how food composition affects mutualistic symbiosis of gut microfl ora and also how changes in gut microfl ora control the activity of mucosal immunity. To address these problems, we compared the changes in the phylogenetic composition of gut microfl ora in mice fed three different kinds of diets: a 60 kcal% high-fat (HF) diet, a 45 kcal% HF diet, and a carbohydrate-rich control diet (10 kcal% fat). C57BL/6 mice fed HF diets after weaning gained body weight more rapidly compared to those fed the control diet. Quantitative analyses of blood plasma showed a significant increase in the level of total cholesterol and triglycerides in groups fed HF diets. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that the ratio of the Firmicutes phylum to eubacteria increased in the
60 kcal% HF diet group, but not in the 45 kcal% HF diet group, despite the fact that mice of  both groups had almost the same body weights at 20 weeks of age. On the other hand, the ratio of the Bacteroides genus decreased in all three diet groups. Flow cytometric analyses demonstrated that the frequency of CD3+ T cells and CD103+ dendritic cells in mesenteric lymph nodes significantly decreased with the increase in fat concentration in the diets. When soy peptide Hi-nute AM was given at the concentration of 5% in drinking water, the ratio of the Bacteroides genus in 60 kcal% HF diet group rapidly dropped even at 8 weeks of age, suggesting the possible control of phylogenetic components of gut microfl ora by soy peptide.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 61-67, 2012.

Key words : Bacteroides, dendritic cells, Firmicutes, gut microflora, high-fat diet, mucosal immunity, mutualistic symbiosis, soy peptide Hi-nute AM
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33-13

Soybean β-conglycinin Improves Lipid Metabolism in Wistar Rats

Nao INOUE, Yuka FUJIWARA, Asuwa FUNAYAMA, Masaki KATO and Ikuo IKEDA*

Laboratory of Food Science, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 981-8555

ABSTRACT
The effects of dietary soybean β-conglycinin on lipid and energy metabolism were studied in male Wistar adult rats. Male Wistar rats (19 weeks old) were fed an AIN-93G diet containing casein or β-conglycinin for 4 weeks. At the 3-week feeding, carbohydrate consumption was higher and fat consumption was lower in the β-conglycinin-fed rats than in the casein-fed rats. Total energy consumption was the same for the two groups. Final body weight was significantly lower in the β-conglycinin-fed rats than in the casein-fed rats. Serum adiponectin was higher in the β-conglycinin-fed rats than in the casein-fed rats. Serum triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration in the β-conglycinin-fed rats was significantly lower than in the casein-fed rats. The activities of hepatic enzymes related to fatty acid synthesis was lower and the activity of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase were higher in theβ-conglycinin-fed rats than in the casein-fed rats. The VLDL-TAG secretion rate from the liver after the administration of Tyloxapol, an inhibitor of lipolysis, was significantly lower in the β-conglycinin-fed rats than in the casein-fed rats. These results suggest that β-conglycinin improves carbohydrate metabolism through an increase of adiponectin production and exerts serum TAG-lowering activity through a suppression of VLDL-TAG secretion from the liver.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 68-71, 2012.

Key words : β-conglycinin, Wistar rats, triacylglycerol, energy metabolism, lipid metabolism
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33-14

Effect of Digested Peptides Derived from β-conglycinin on Myocellular Glucose Uptake

Keisuke SAWADA, Yoko YAMASHITA and Hitoshi ASHIDA*

Department of Agrobioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501

ABSTRACT
It has been suggested that dietary intake of soy protein is potentially beneficial for prevention of obesity and hyperglycemia. β-Conglycinin, one of the major soy proteins, has been reported to lower the blood glucose and insulin levels with an increasing adiponectin level and decreasing plasma lipids levels in animal studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effect of digested peptide mixtures derived from β-conglycinin on myocellular glucose uptake and its molecular mechanism. Two peptide mixtures (peptide mixtures-A and -B) were prepared by treating β-conglycinin with an artifi cial digestive juice and the enzymes from microorganisms, respectively. When L6 myotubes were treated with these mixtures, both of them increased glucose uptake dose-dependently. Mixture-A had a stronger effect than mixture-B. Although we could not identify the active peptide in mixture-A, peptides with hydrophilic properties contribute to the stimulation of glucose uptake. Next, we investigated whether glucose uptake stimulation is accompanied by translocation of the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane, which is an insulin-responsive transporter and is distributed in adipose tissue and skeletal and cardiac muscles specifically; we found that the peptide mixture-A stimulated translocation of GLUT4 without altering its expression level. We also found that AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) was phosphorylated but Akt did not, indicating that translocation of GLUT4 by the peptides derived from β-conglycinin was dependent on the AMPK-pathway. In an animal study using type-2 diabetes mellitus model, GK rats, we confirmed activation of AMPK and downstream GLUT4 translocation and UCP-3 expression in soleus muscle. In conclusion, intake of β-conglycinin will prevent hyperglycemia by stimulating GLUT4 translocation followed by glucose uptake in muscle.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 72-78, 2012.

Key words : β-conglycinin, peptide, anti-hyperglycemia, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), muscle
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33-15

Administration of a Soy-Enriched Dipeptide Efficiently Increases Tyrosine Content in the Brain and Serum of Mice

Shigeki FURUYA*1, 2, 3 and Kayoko ESAKI2, 4

1Division of Systems Biology, Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Fukuoka 812-8581
2Division of Functional Biomaterials Design, Department of Innovative Science & Technology for Bio-industry, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, Fukuoka 812-8581
3Bioarchitecture center, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581
4RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the neurochemical effects produced by oral administration of dipeptide Ser-Tyr in genetic serine-deficiency model mice that were created using a gene-targeting technique. Amino acid analysis demonstrated that in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus forced oral administration of Ser-Tyr dipeptide increased free L-Tyr content more effi ciently than that of sole L-Tyr at the same intake dose. In contrast, free L-Ser content in these brain regions did not differ significantly between Ser-Tyr dipeptide- and sole L-Ser-administered groups. Additionally, Ser-Tyr dipeptide administration caused a greater increase in L-Tyr concentration in serum than sole L-Tyr administration. The present findings indicate that intake of dipeptide Ser-Tyr efficiently enhance free L-Tyr levels in brain and systemic circulation.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 79-84, 2012.

Key words : tyrosine, serine, branched chain amino acids, soy peptide, brain
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33-16

The Basic Study of Efficient Use of Soybean Components to Maintain Geriatric Muscle Function

Hisanori KATO*1 and Shinya AOYAMA2

1Organization for Interdisciplinary Research Projects, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657
2Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657

ABSTRACT
The result of our previous study has revealed that dietary protein modulates the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates (IRSs). In addition, we found in diabetic model mice that the expression of the gene for Atrogin-1, a component of the muscle atrophy-related pathway, was reduced by dietary supplementation of a soy Isoflavone, genistein. Considering the importance of prevention of skeletal
muscle atrophy in the elderly, effective use of soy components is worth exploring. To clarify the effects of soy protein isolate (SPI), genistein, and their combination on skeletal muscle atrophy, male Wistar rats with excised sciatic nerve were used as a model of atrophy. Intakes of SPI (20%) and the combination of SPI and genistein (0.05%) for 10 days had no effect on muscle atrophy induced by denervation. While genistein intake tended to prevent atrophy of soleus, no preventive effect was observed in gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis. The up-regulations of the genes for Atrogin-1 and Muscle RING-fi nger protein-1 (MrRF-1) caused by denervation were attenuated by genistein intake. DNA microarray analysis revealed that 1209 genes were up-regulated and 353 genes were down-regulated by genistein intake. The result of transcription factor analysis of the gene expression profi le data suggested the involvement of the estrogen receptor in the effect of genistein.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 85-89, 2012.

Key words : muscle atrophy, soy protein isolate (SPI), genistein, microarray
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33-17

The Functions of Soy Isoflavones on Epigenetic Regulation and Protection of Neuronal Cells

Kaoru NAGAI*

Department of Epigenetic Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 409-3898

ABSTRACT
Epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation and histone modifi cation, is crucial for brain function. Histone deacetylation is one of the crucial steps for epigenetic transcriptional regulation. It has been reported that histone deacetylase (Hdac) inhibitor displays therapeutic effects on dementia-model mice. However, the molecular mechanisms of the effects have not yet been clarified. Natural products, such as short-chain fatty acids and some polyphenols show modulating effects on Hdac families. Thus, soybean ingredients such as isoflavones might have a modulating function on Hdac activities. Since inhibitors of class I and II Hdacs and activators of class III Hdacs, called sirtuins, have been reported to show a therapeutic effect on the neurodegeneration model, we analyzed the effects of the soy isoflavones genistein, daidzein, and equol on the activities of Hdac families. We found that daidzein showed class I, II Hdac inhibitory and class III Hdac Sirt1 activation effects. Then, we analyzed whether daidzein shows protective effects on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced Neuro2a cell death. Since ER stress is known to cause considerable neurodegeneration, molecules which protect the cells from ER stress could be candidates for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The commonly used Hdac inhibitor sodium butylate showed a protective effect, and daidzein showed similar effects. The histone acetyltransferase activator CBT also showed a protective effect, but co-treatment with daidzein with CBT did not show an additive effect. This suggests that daidzein and CBT protected the cells via similar pathways, probably an increase in histone acetylation. Our data raise the possibility that consumption of daidzein may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia via modulating epigenetic mechanisms.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 90-95, 2012.

Key words : neurodegenerative disease, histone deacetylase, Sirt1, endoplasmic reticulum stress, isoflavone
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33-18

Growth Inhibition Action of Lactic Acid Bacteria-Metabolic Products on Human Leukemia HL-60 Cells

Yuichi NODAKE*, Masashi FUKASAWA and Ryuzo SAKAKIBARA

Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Nagasaki 859-3298

ABSTRACT
PS-B1 is a fermented product cultured from soybean milk using lactic acid bacteria. In this study, we found that PS-B1 significantly inhibited the growth of human leukemia HL-60 cells in dose-dependent manner; we also examined the mechanism of the anti-proliferation action of PS-B1 on HL-60 cells. Subsequently, several results suggesting that PS-B1 induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells were obtained from a pectrophotometrical analyses. In HL-60 cells treated with PS-B1, (1) an increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species; (2) a reduction of glutathione level and mitochondrial membrane potential; (3) an increase in caspase activity; and (4) DNA fragmentation were detected.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 96-102, 2012.

Key words : lactic acid bacteria-metabolic product, PS-B1, growth inhibition action, apoptosis
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33-19

The Effect of Soybean Protein on Urinary Ca Excretion

Sumiko KAMOSHITA1, Bui Thi NHUNG2, Pham Thi Anh THO3,Nguyen Thi THUAN3 and Fumio SHIMURA*1

1Human Life Faculty, Jumonji University, Saitama 352-8510
2National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam
3Asian Nutrition and Food Culture Research Center, Jumonji University, Saitama 352-8510

ABSTRACT
Although the content of the sulfur amino acids (methionine and cysteine) in soybean protein is not deficient, it is low compared with food from animal sources, such as egg, meat, or fi sh. Intakes of sulfur amino acids by Japanese are much higher than the requirements. High intake of sulfur amino acids produces sulfuric acid which make the body pH lower than normal. To maintain normal pH, hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), which is a constituent of bone is used. This suggests that the prevention of over-intake of sulfur amino acids may protect against bone Ca loss. Soybean protein may be useful in preventing the over-intake of sulfur amino acids. In this study we tried to confi rm this hypothesis. The study was conducted with cross-over design in Vietnamese female university students (20-day study periods and 10-day washout period). The subjects were given the same basal diet with about 30 g protein together with 30 g soybean protein or egg white protein. All the urine during the last 3 days was collected and pH and Ca concentration were measured. The egg white protein group showed a lower pH and higher Ca concentration in the urine as compared with the soybean protein group (p <0.01). In conclusion the results of the study confi rmed our hypothesis that soybean protein maintains normal body pH and prevents bone Ca loss.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 103-107, 2012.

Key words : methionine, sulfur amino acids, soybean protein, Ca, urinary pH, hydroxyapatite

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33-20

Effect of Soy Protein on Blood Lipid Concentration in China: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Kyoko TAKU*1, Meng JIA2, Yong XUE2, De-Fu MA2, Toyonori OMORI3, Mitsutaka KOHNO4, Fang-Qun HAN5 and Yu-Mei ZHANG2

1Center for International Collaboration and Partnership, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, Tokyo 162-8636
2School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing
3Department of Health Care Policy and Management, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Aichi 467-8601
4Food Science Research Institute, Fuji Oil Co., Ltd., Osaka 598-8540
5Social Community Health Service, Peking University Health Center, Beijing

ABSTRACT
We conducted a randomized controlled trial to verify the serum lipid lowering effect of ingesting a test food containing β-conglycinin (a constituent of soy protein) in China. One hundred women aged 40-65 years old with abnormal blood lipid participated the trial. Participants were randomly allocated to three groups of placebo (n=34, 4 casein tablets a day), low dose (n=33, 4 tablets containing 2.3 g β -conglycinin) and high dose (n=33, 8 tablets containing 4.6 g) with balanced age, baseline weight and serum lipids. All participants were instructed to take the test tablets two times a day and not to change their daily life style, including diet and sports. The ages, baseline weight and serum lipids of participants did not differ among the three groups. The serum triacylglycerol (TG) of the low dose group after 6 weeks (2.76±0.77, mean±SD) significantly decreased, by 0.44 mmol/L (14.5%) from the baseline (p =0.000), which was also significantly lower than that of the placebo group (p =0.000); furthermore, the TG of the low dose group after 12 weeks (2.41±0.78) decreased significantly, by 0.78 mmol/L (21.7%) from the baseline (p =0.000), which was also significantly lower than that of the placebogroup (p =0.001). The TG of the high dose group after 6 weeks (2.77±1.35, mean ±SD) decreased significantly, by 0.46 mmol/L (17.4%) from the baseline (p =0.000), which was also significantly lower than that of the placebo group (p =0.000); furthermore, the TG of the high-dose group after 12 weeks (1.99±0.85) decreased significantly, by 1.25 mmol/L (34.5%) from the baseline (p =0.000), which was also significantly lower than that of the placebo group (p =0.001). We did not observe effects of β-conglycinin ingestion (either low dose or high dose) on serum total and HDL cholesterol. The test food containing β-conglycinin (4.6 g/d) met the present evaluation criteria of effectiveness for Chinese "health food", and was demonstrated to decrease serum TG.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 108-116, 2012.

Key words : soy protein isolate, β-conglycinin, serum triacylglycerol, Foods for specifi ed health uses (FOSHU), health food
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33-21

Does Soy Intake Relate to the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome ?

Tohru SAKAI*1, Mariko NAKAMOTO1, Emi SHUTO1, Rie TSUTSUMI1, Nanako KATAOKA2, Chisato KOSUGI2, Yukiko BANDO2, Yosuke SHIKAMA2, Yuka KISHUKU2, Yumi KUWAMURA3, Takako MINAMIKAWA3, Takako ICHIHARA3, Ayako TAMURA3 and Makoto FUNAKI2

1Department of Public Health and Applied Nutrition, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503
2Clinical Research Center for Diabetes, Tokushima University Hospital, Tokushima 770-8503
3Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, Tokushima 770-8503

ABSTRACT
We conducted a cross-sectional study in a workplace setting in Tokushima Prefecture. A total of 1,460 Japanese workers (1,076 men and 384 women) participated in this study. In men, the group that consumed large amount of soy products also consumed more vegetables, fruits, and seasonings than the group that consumed small amounts of soy products. However, consumptions of cereals and meat were smaller in the group that consumed large amounts of soy products. In women, the group that consumed large amount of soy products consumed more vegetables and seasonings than the group that consumed small amounts of soy products. Associations between prevalence of metabolic syndrome and level of soy intake were assessed with the use of multiple logistic regression models. Of the 1,076 male subjects examined, 207 (19.2%) were diagnosed as the metabolic syndrome in men. The relative risk of metabolic syndrome in the group that consumed high levels of soy products was 1.433 (0.930-2.206) when compared to the group that consumed fewer soy products.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 117-124, 2012.

Key words : soy, legumens, metabolic syndrome
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33-22

Study on Cookie-making, less of Beany Flavor, used Soy Protein Isolate

Kazuko HIRAO*

Aikoku Gakuen Junior College, Tokyo 133-8585

ABSTRACT
In order to prepare cookies with less of a beany flavor using soybean protein isolate (SPI), the cooking process, baking temperature and time, the ratio of water in the cookie, and the ingredient ratio (using Scheffé's simple lattice design) were examined by use of physical measurement, sensory evaluation and gas chromatography analysis. SPI, wheat flour, sugar, shortening and egg and/or water were used, and the cookies were baked at 140-180℃. To judge by the results, when water and sugar were added to the cookie dough and the cookies were thoroughly heated at 160℃, the beany flavor of SPI cookies was reduced and a fragrant aroma was added. According to analysis of the ingredient ratio by Scheffé's simple lattice design, the more wheat flour was added, the softer the cookie texture, and moreover there was also less of a beany flavor. Furthermore, the more sugar was added, the shorter the cookie texture, and moreover there was also more of a fragrant scent. The ingredient ratio of lattice point 3 (40% SPI, 0% wheat flour and 60% sugar) was evaluated as the most preferable in the item of taste of sensory evaluation. Gas chromatography analysis suggests that this is due to a masking effect by the Malliard reaction. The ingredient ratio of 40% SPI, 15% wheat flour and 45% sugar in the cookies was evaluated as the most preferable with regard to hardness, shortness, and overall sensory evaluation. The above results suggest that cookies made with an ingredient ratio of approximately SPI 25.5%, wheat flour 9.6%, sugar 28.6%, shortening 22.7%, egg and water 13.6% have the most favorable taste. Moreover, the substitution of butter for shortening and trehalose for sugar increased the sweet-smelling flavor and reduced the beany flavor in the cookies.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 125-132, 2012.

Key words : beany flavor, soy protein isolate, cookie, Scheffé's simple lattice design, physical properties, sensory evaluation
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33-23

Cooking Possibilities and Taste Acceptability of Soluble OKARA

Masayo KANEDA*1, Eiko MURAI2, Chieko TOYAMA3, Misako HIROTA4, Yoko TAKEDA5, Keiko YANAGISAWA6 and Sayako AOKI7

1Junior College of Kagawa Nutrition University, Tokyo 170-8481
2Marugame Municipal Ayauta Junior High School, Kagawa 761-2406
3Toki Municipal Hida Elementary School, Gifu 509-5115
4Moriyama Municipal Moriyama Elementary School, Shiga 524-0041
5Omihachiman Municipal Aduti Junior High School, Shiga 521-1341
6Omitama Municipal Minori Junior High School, Ibaraki 319-0132
7Katsushika Ward Kitano Elementary School, Tokyo 125-0052

ABSTRACT
The fiber intake of Japanese is much lower than the DRI. The DRI for fiber in school lunches is 6.0 and 7.5 g for elementary and junior high school children, respectively. However their average intakes are only 4.6 and 5.9 g, respectively. During TOFU processing, OKARA (soybean fiber) is mostly wasted. Recently soluble OKARA (SOF) has been produced and this is expected to help increase fiber intake. However, the cooking possibilities and acceptability by children are not known. In this study we tried to incorporate various quantities of OKARA into some popular foods to find the highest acceptable quantity (Study 1). From the results of Study 1, it was possible to use about 16 wt% SOF in various foods and in Study 2, 14 locally produced foods were cooked with about 16 wt% SOF (Study 2). Twelve of 14 foods were evaluated highly. In conclusion 16 wt% SOF can be easily integrated into cooking and meets taste requirements.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 133-139, 2012.

Key words : school lunch, okara, byproduct of tofu, fiber, solublefiber, nutrition teacher, school children, cook
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33-24

Relationship between the Expression of the Ferritin Gene and Iron Contents During Seed Maturation

Taro MASUDA*1, Fumiyuki GOTO2 and Toshihiro YOSHIHARA2

1Laboratory of Food Quality Design and Development, Division of Agronomy and Horticultural Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 611-0011
2 Biotechnology Sector, Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Chiba 270-1194

ABSTRACT
Soybean seed contains a large amount of iron. It is suggested that the iron storage protein ferritin contributes to the net iron content in the seed of soybean. We identified four cDNAs encoding ferritin subunits of soybean (Glycine max Merrill cv. Kita-no-shiki). The gene expression analysis demonstrated that two of them (sfer1 and sfer2) were transcribed actively in the seed, especially at an initial stage of seed maturation, while the expression of sfer3 gene was not detected. In accordance with the gene expression analysis, accumulation of the ferritin protein was observed mainly at the initial stage of seed formation. The purified ferritin protein from the dry seed was composed of two types of subunits, SFER1 and SFER2, which contained approximately 2,500 Fe atoms per ferritin oligomer. The elementary analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry demonstrated that the iron content was also increased at an initial stage of seed maturation. These results suggested that ferritin was synthesized and iron was synchronously accumulated in ferritin at an early stage of the seed maturation.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 140-144, 2012..

Key words : ferritin, iron content, seed maturation, subunit, elementary analysis
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33-25

Preparation of Insoluble Soy Protein Gel Enhancing Hydration with Monosaccharide as a Separation Material

Ryota TAKATA, Hirokazu SETO, Keisuke OHTO and Hidetaka KAWAKITA*

Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saga University, Saga 840-8502

ABSTRACT
Insoluble soy protein (Fuji Pro F) was reacted with keto glucose for crosslinking the inter-proteins by glutaraldehyde to obtain a soy protein gel. Keto glucose-introduced gel represented the roughness on the surface, resulting in a more heterogeneous gel. However, keto glucose-introduced gel had the most swelling when immersed in water and acetone alternatively. After the adsorption of phloxine and hemoglobin, phloxine had the more effective desorption in acetone solution.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 145-150, 2012.

Key words : separation, gel, soy protein, keto glucose
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33-26

Effects of Soy Protein Isolate on Glucose Homeostasis and Kidney Functions of Type II Diabetic Model GK Rats

Masatoshi KUBOTA*1, Risa ITO2, Reiko WATANABE4, Shinobu FUJIMURA1, 2, 3 and Motoni KADOWAKI1, 2, 3

1Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181
2Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181
3Faculty of Agriculture, Niigata University, Niigata 950-2181
4Department of Health and Nutrition, University of Niigata Prefecture, Niigata 950-8680

ABSTRACT
The number of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients is rapidly increasing and is becoming a serious problem all over the world. T2DM may lead to various complications such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. In the therapy of diabetic nephropathy, most people pay attention to the dietary protein intake, but only a few focus on the effect of protein sources on diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, we attempted to clarify the effects of different protein sources on diabetes and diabetic nephropathy. Male non-obese type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats were fed high sucrose diets for 15 wk with 20% casein (C) or soy protein isolate (SPI). The fasting blood glucose levels and the markers related to diabetes and kidney functions in the blood and urinary albumin excretion were determined. Kidney tissue sections were obtained for histological analysis. SPI had no effects on fasting blood levels of glucose, insulin and adiponectin. However, the levels of plasma alkaline phosphatase, hematocrit and urinary albumin excretion in GK rats fed SPI were significantly improved compared with those of the C group. In addition, renal glomerular damage was significantly suppressed in the SPI group. These results suggest that SPI has a suppressive effect on progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 151-155, 2012.

Key words : soy protein isolate, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, Goto-Kakizaki rat
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33-27

Effect of Soy Peptides on the Recombinant Protein Production in Yeast

Keisuke ITO*, Aya HIKIDA and Yasuaki KAWARASAKI

School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526

ABSTRACT
Eukaryotic membrane proteins are involved in a wide range of biological functions. For successful analysis, a large amount of receptor protein production is necessary. Although the yeast expression system is a useful tool for expression of heterologous proteins including receptors, the robust cell wall presents an obstacle to extracting proteins from the cell. Therefore, harvesting the protein in the exponential growth phase of the yeast, in which a cell has a comparatively thin cell wall, is an important factor for the protein yield. In this study, production of eight G proteincoupled receptors was compared using two types of media, one of which contained soy peptides and the other contained a free amino acids mixture. Yeast cell growth was improved in the media with the soy peptides, and the expression levels of six of the receptors were increased during the exponential phase by an average of 2.3 times over the free amino acids-based media. The enhancement of protein expression by soy peptides is explained by an alleviation of metabolite stress from amino acid source depletion caused by heterologous protein expression. These results suggest that soy peptides are useful for microorganism-mediated protein production.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 156-159, 2012.

Key words : soy peptides, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , protein expression, exponential growth phase, membrane protein
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33-28

Effect of Dietary Soy Isoflavones on Rat Skeletal Muscle Fiber Type and Muscle Mass

Wataru MIZUNOYA*, Kenta SHIMOMURA, Taiki AKASAKA, Yusuke SATO ,Mako NAKAMURA, Ryuichi TATSUMI and Yoshihide IKEUCHI

Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581

ABSTRACT
Soy isoflavones (daidzein, genistein and glycitein) are thought to be candidates for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)δ ligands, which are a key regulator of skeletal muscle fiber type. We addressed whether dietary soy Isoflavone intake affects skeletal muscle fiber type via the PPARδ pathway in rats. Seven-week-old male Wistar rats were fed a diet with or without 0.4% (w/w) crude soy isoflavones (Soyafl avone HG) for 4 weeks, then blood and tissue samples were collected. In our previous report, we showed that the muscle mass was significantly lower in the soy isoflavone-fed group, and the proportion of myosin heavy chain I (slow type) in EDL muscle was significantly increased in the soy isoflavonefed group. In this study, we analyzed fiber-type related protein expression with Western blotting and soy Isoflavone concentration in serum and skeletal muscle. Our result suggests that soy isoflavone existed in serum at concentrations that could be expected from PPARδ activity. However, UCP3, the representative target protein of PPARδ, was not upregulated in the soy isoflavone-fed group, which implied that the change in skeletal muscle property was due to a pathway independent of PPARδ.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 160-164, 2012.

Key words : soy Isoflavone, skeletal muscle, fiber type, myosin heavy chain, PPARδ
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33-29

Mechanism for Equol-Induced Anorectic Effect -Analysis of Free and Conjugated Equol Concentrations-

Takafumi MIZUSHIGE*, Mina FUJITANI, Yuki YAMASHITA, Yoshiya YAMAUCHI, Satoru MURAKAMI, Taro KISHIDA and Kiyoshi EBIHARA

Laboratory of Nutritional science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ehime University, Matsuyama 790-8566

ABSTRACT
In the previous study, we have shown that an equol, a metabolite of soybean daidzein with intestinal microorganisms, decreased food intake specifically in female rats. The equol may be an active substance on the anorectic action. It is well known that equol metabolizes to glucuronidation and sulfate conjugation in liver and small intestine. In the present study, to examine a biodistribution of daidzein and equol after feeding of daidzein diet, we measured daidzein, conjugated and free equol concentrations in liver, bile, blood, urine and feces when female rats were fed a daidzein diet. As to the results, equol concentratioins in bile were higher than those in liver, blood and urine. Free equol concentrarion in bile in female rats was significantly lower than that in male rats, suggesting that female-specific free equol in an enterohepatic circulation might be the active substance of the anorectic effect. We performed a procedure in which bile taken from female donor rats fed the daidzein diet was infused into the duodenum in other female rats fed the control diet. The bile infusion significantly decreased food intake in female rats, suggesting that the enterohepatic circulated equol in bile induced the anorectic effect. In conclusion, we found that an accumulation of enterohepatic circulated free equol may down-regulate food intake.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 165-169, 2012.

Key words : soy isoflavone, daidzein, equol, conjugate, bile acid
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33-30

Effect of Compounds Contained in Soybean on Macrophage Activation

Yukio FUJIWARA*1, Yoshihiro KOMOHARA1, Koji OHNISHI1,Tsuyoshi IKEDA2 and Motohiro TAKEYA1

1Department of Cell Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8556
2Department of Natural Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Sojo University, Kumamoto 860-0082

ABSTRACT
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarized to the M2 phenotype promote tumor cell proliferation and are associated with a poor prognosis in patients with high grade glioma. We previously reported that corosolic acid, a triterpenoid compound, inhibits the M2 polarization of human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDM). In the present study, we examined whether triterpenoid compounds and flavonoid compounds contained in soybeans also show inhibitory effects on M2 polarization in HMDM. Soyasapogenol A and B, triterpenoid compounds, significantly inhibited the expression of CD163, one of the phenotype markers of M2 macrophages, as well as suppressed the secretion of IL-10, one of the anti-inflammatory cytokines preferentially produced by M2 macrophages, thus suggesting that soyasapogenol A and B suppress the M2 polarization of macrophages. Furthermore, soyasapogenol A and B inhibited the proliferation of U373 human glioblastoma cells and SaOS2 human osteosarcoma cells, and the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in both human macrophages and tumor cells. These results indicate that soyasapogenol A and B regulate macrophage activation and suppress tumor cell proliferation by inhibiting STAT3 activation. Therefore, soyasapogenol A and B may be a potentially new agent that can be used for the prevention and treatment of various malignant tumors, including glioma and ostersarcoma.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 170-175, 2012.

Key words : Macrophage, pSTAT3, Soyasapogenol, osteosarcoma, glioma
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33-31

Effect of Tofuyo (Fermented Soybean Food) Extract on Influenza Virus-Infected Animals

Akikazu SAKUDO*1 and Masayasu SESOKO2

1Laboratory of Biometabolic Chemistry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa 903-0215
2RyuKyu-Cement Co., Ltd.

ABSTRACT
This study investigated the possible in vivo activity of Tofuyo (fermented soybean food) extract against influenza. Tofuyo was diluted with water and subjected to homogenization, fi ltration and centrifugation. The resultant supernatant was used as Tofuyo extract. Nude mice (BALB/cSlc-nu /nu ) were given drinking water supplemented with Tofuyo extract the day before intranasal inoculation with influenza. In addition, a control group was given water to drink without Tofuyo extract. Forty percent of the control group was dead within 14 days, while all the mice drinking Tofuyo extract-containing water survived. Tofuyo contains proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals that provide nutritive value and may contribute to the promotion of good health. We are currently analyzing the mechanisms by which Tofuyo extract relieves the symptoms of infection with influenza.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 176-180, 2012.

Key words : Influenza, Kojis, Okinawa, Tofuyo, Virus
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33-32

Induction and Suppression of Human Disease-Associated Genes in Cultured Cell Line Cells by Bean-Extract Stimulation

Naoko OKUMURA*, Hitomi YOSHIDA and Satoru MATSUDA

Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Nara Women's University, Nara 630-8506

ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of several bean ingredients and chemical inhibitors on the expression of presenilin, a molecule involved in γ-secretase activity and the generation of amyloid-β peptide in Alzheimer's disease, and on the expression of Cip-interacting zinc fi nger protein 1 (Ciz1), which stimulates DNA replication and has been implicated in tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells. Western blotting revealed the downregulation of presenilin 1 protein expression by stimulation with genistein in vitro , while the effects on presenilin 1 gene expression examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were unaltered in Daudi cells. Genistein likely downregulates presenilin via the inhibition of ubiquilin 1 expression in lymphoid cells. Our findings provide new insights that may help to establish preventive strategies against Alzheimer's disease. In order to investigate the possibility of using medicinal Isoflavone against breast cancer, we studied whether some isoflavones could affect the expression of the Ciz1. The in vitro effect of isoflavone treatment on the reduction of Ciz1 expression was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR). Western blotting also confi rmed the down-regulation of the protein in dose dependent manner of the genistein treatment in Daudi lymphoid cell line.
Soy Protein Research, Japan 15, 181-185, 2012.

Key words : soybean, genistein, gene expression
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