Considering the neuroprotective and antioxidant potential of fermented Laminaria japonica A. (FST), the purpose of the present study is to establish whether FST may be considered a viable, efficacious supplement that can be administered in later life to offset neurodegenerative conditions associated with aging. Forty senior subjects participated in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Two groups were formed, one FST group (n = 32, 72.35 ± 5.54 yrs) and one placebo (CON) (n = 28, 74.57 ± 5.69 yrs), which received 1.5 g/day of FST for 6 weeks. Subjects were asked to abstain from any regular exercise. In order to analyze short-term memory, a variety of neuropsychological tests were implemented. Body composition, physical fitness evaluations, antioxidant function, and inflammatory markers were also included in the analyses pre- and posttest. We demonstrated that FST significantly improved neuropsychological test scores, including higher scores in the K-MMSE, numerical memory test, Raven test, and iconic memory, compared to the CON group. Shorter test trial times in the 6-minute walk test were observed in the FST group (p<0.001 and p<0.05, trials 1 and 2, respectively). FST also significantly increased antioxidant activity of GPx, GSR, and SOD, reduced the production of TBARS, and lowered 8-oxoDG levels. The present study highlights the potential widespread application of FST in protecting against the degenerative effects of aging on short-term memory and physical function. Neuropsychological evaluation indicates that FST may provide a protective mechanism against cognitive impairment associated with dementia. Neuromuscular integrity and physical function are typically compromised in aging and dementia patients; thus, whether by stimulation of muscle-related growth factors or an increase in serum BDNF, FST supplementation may act to preserve physical function in the elderly. The bioactive constituents of FST such as GABA and fucoidan acting to provide improvements in antioxidant activity following FST supplementation may protect against progressive degeneration purportedly caused by reactive oxygen species.
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate the effect of fermented sarco oysters (FSO) on muscle strength in postmenopausal females with low muscle mass. Fifty-two female participants were randomly divided into the experiment group (EG) or control group (CG). For 12 weeks, the EG was subjected to 1000 mg of FSO extract daily while the CG consumed the placebo extract. The muscle extension and flexion at an angular velocity of 60°/s and with respect to grip strength, body composition, and muscle growth-related blood factors were measured at the baseline and after the trial. The difference in the quadriceps muscle extension at an angular velocity of 60°/s, grip strength on both the left and right side, and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) between groups were significantly higher in the EG compared with the CG. However, no differences were found in body composition, blood pyruvate, lactate, or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration between the two groups. In conclusion, FSO supplements may improve muscle strength in postmenopausal females with relatively reduced muscle strength without a change in muscle mass.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESFermented Laminaria japonica (FL), a type sea tangle used as a functional food ingredient, has been reported to possess cognitive improving properties that may aid in the treatment of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia.MATERIALS/METHODSWe examined the effects of FL on scopolamine (Sco)- and ethanol (EtOH)-induced hippocampus-dependent memory impairment, using the Passive avoidance (PA) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. To examine the underlying mechanisms associated with neuroprotective effects, we analyzed acetylcholine (ACh) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, brain tissue expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and immunohistochemical analysis, in the hippocampus of mice, compared to current drug therapy intervention. Biochemical blood analysis was carried out to determine the effects of FL on alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. 7 groups (n = 10) consisted of a control (CON), 3 Sco-induced dementia and 3 EtOH-induced dementia groups, with both dementia group types containing an untreated group (Sco and EtOH); a positive control, orally administered donepezil (Dpz) (4mg/kg) (Sco + Dpz and EtOH + Dpz); and an FL (50 mg/kg) treatment group (Sco + FL50 and EtOH + FL50), orally administered over the 4-week experimental period.RESULTSFL50 significantly reduced EtOH-induced increase in AST and ALT levels. FL50 treatment reduced EtOH-impaired step-through latency time in the PA test, and Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia escape latency times in the MWM test. Moreover, anticholinergic effects of Sco and EtOH on the brain were reversed by FL50, through the attenuation of AChE activity and elevation of ACh concentration. FL50 elevated ERK1/2 protein expression and increased p-CREB (ser133) in hippocampus brain tissue, according to Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis, respectively.CONCLUSIONOverall, these results suggest that FL may be considered an efficacious intervention for Sco- and EtOH-induced dementia, in terms of reversing cognitive impairment and neuroplastic dysfunction.
Mechanical property of tissue is closely related to diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, and atherosclerosis. Therefore measurement of tissue mechanical property is important for a better diagnosis. Ultrasound elastography has been developed as a diagnostic modality for a number of diseases that maps mechanical property of tissue. Optical coherence elastography (OCE) has a higher spatial resolution than ultrasound elastography. OCE, therefore, could be a great help for early diagnosis. In this study, we made tissue phantoms and measured their compressive moduli with a rheometer measuring the response to applied force. Uniaxial strain of the tissue phantom was also measured with OCE by using cross-correlation of speckles and compared with the results from the rheometer. In order to compare stiffness of tissue phantoms by OCE, the applied force should be measured in addition to the strain. We, however, did not use a load cell that directly measures the applied force for each sample. Instead, we utilized one silicone film (called as reference phantom) for all OCE measurements that indirectly indicated the amount of the applied force by deformation. Therefore, all measurements were based on displacement, which was natural and effective for image-based elastography such as OCE.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.