The effects of dietary diacylglycerol consisting of 1,3 (65.2%) and 1,2 species (32.6%) and triacylglycerol (rapeseed oil) on the serum and hepatic lipid profiles were compared in the rat. The fatty acid composition was similar between these dietary lipids. The dietary acylglycerols were added to the experimental diets so as to provide the same amounts of fatty acids (9.39%). Dietary diacylglycerol compared with triacylglycerol significantly reduced concentrations of serum triacylglycerol at 17 and 34 days of the feeding periods without influencing those of phospholipid and cholesterol. There were no significant differences in the concentrations of hepatic triacylglycerol, cholesterol and phospholipid between the two groups of rats at 34 days of the feeding period. In the second trial, triacylglycerol in the experimental diet was replaced by varying amounts of diacylglycerol while maintaining the fatty acid contents (9.39%). After 14 days of the feeding period, significant reductions in serum triacylglycerol levels were confirmed in the groups of rats fed the diets in which diacylglycerol fatty acids supplied more than 50% (50, 75 and 100%) of total dietary fatty acids. Thus, it was confirmed that dietary diacylglycerol compared with triacylglycerol exerts a potent serum triacylglycerol-lowering effect in the rat.

The effects of spore-bearing lactic acid-forming bacteria (Bacillus coagulans SANK 70258) on intestinal ora and decomposition products in the intestine, as well as on various dermal characteristics were determined in healthy humans and rats. Improvement of fecal shape, change of fecal color from dark brown to yellowish brown, decrease of fecal odor and fecal pH and an increase in defecation frequency in persons whose defecation frequency was relatively low were observed after administration. The number of intestinal bi dobacteria signi cantly (p B0.05) increased, whereas the number of intestinal Clostridium perfringens signi cantly (p B 0.05) decreased after administration compared with the values before the intake. The concentrations of intestinal ammonia, indole and p-cresol decreased. The activities of b -glucuronidase and tryptophanase decreased signi cantly compared with the levels during the control period (p B 0.05). The spore-bearing lactic acid-forming bacilli group was given B. coagulans SANK 70258, while kept on a basic diet adjusted to 60% protein.Protein was supplied by casein. After removing back hair, the rats were exposed to radiation of UV-B 0.5 MED once a day. Two weeks after the start of radiation, measurements were made for the number of exanthema (the number of are and papula). The number of exanthema decreased as constipation alleviated as a result of the intake of B. coagulans SANK 70258. In experiment 2, improvement of fecal shape, change of fecal color from dark brown to yellowish brown, decrease of fecal odor, the fecal pH and increase in defecation frequency of persons whose frequency was relatively low were observed after administration. The number of intestinal bi dobacteria signi cantly (p B0.05) increased, whereas the number of intestinal C. perfringens signi cantly (pB 0.05) decreased after administration compared with the values before the intake. The concentrations of intestinal ammonia, indole and p -cresol content decreased. The activity of b-glucuronidase and tryptophanase decreased signi cantly (p B0.05) compared with the levels during the control period. The number of comedones decreased as constipation was alleviated as a result of the intake of B. coagulans SANK 70258. These results indicate that the administration of B. coagulans SANK 70258 improves the intestinal environment, defecation frequency, fecal characteristics and dermal characteristics.

The lecithin fraction is permitted for use as an additive to drugs and food and can be produced on an industrial scale. It is expected that the lecithin fraction will be used safely as a bitterness inhibitor for practical applications.

In small animal veterinary practices, body condition score (BCS) is generally used to diagnose obesity. However, BCS does not constitute objective data. In this study, we investigated the value of using human body fat analysis software for male dogs. We also compared changes in body fat after neutering. Changes in body fat at the time of neutering (age 1 year) and 1 year later were compared by performing CT scanning and using human body fat analysis software. We found that body fat increased in all the individuals tested. In terms of the site of fat accumulation, subcutaneous fat was more pronounced than visceral fat with a marked increase on the dorsal side of the abdomen rather than the thorax.

In this study, we investigated a combination of a low glycemic index starch (LGIS) and diacylglycerol (DAG) on lipid, lipoprotein (LP) metabolism, and weight management. Obese, intact female adult Beagle dogs were assigned to 1 of 4 starch/oil combination diets [LGIS/DAG (LD); LGIS/triacylglycerol (TAG); high glycemic index starch (HGIS)/DAG; and HGIS/TAG (HT)] and fed for 9 wk (n = 6/group) using an incomplete 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each dog was fed 1 of 2 opposite starch/oil combination diets (e.g. LD and HT). At wk 1 and 8, postprandial blood was collected for plasma triacylglycerol (TG), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total cholesterol (TC), and LP analyses. During the same week, dogs were overnight feed-deprived and post-heparin blood was collected for LP lipase and hepatic lipase activity determinations. At wk 1, 4, and 8, blood was drawn from overnight feed-deprived dogs for plasma TG, BHB, TC, LP, leptin, and adiponectin measurements. Feces were collected at wk 3 for digestibility calculations. The LGIS diets resulted in lower carbohydrate, protein, total tract dry matter digestibilities, and metabolizable energy compared with the HGIS diet groups (P < 0.05). Thus, the LGIS groups lost more body weight (P = 0.001), which was positively correlated with plasma leptin concentrations (r(2) = 0.427; P < 0.001). Moreover, the LGIS diet lowered TC concentrations in combination with DAG. The DAG diet groups decreased postprandial TG and increased BHB concentrations (P < 0.05). Starch/oil types did not alter lipase activities or adiponectin concentrations. In conclusion, the LGIS diet demonstrated potential as a weight management tool in dogs by decreasing postprandial TG and increasing BHB in combination with DAG.

Previously, we demonstrated that lipoprotein composed of phosphatidic acid (PA) and beta-lactoglobulin (LG) selectively and reversibly suppress the frog taste nerve response to bitter substances. In the present study, we examined the effects of various lipoproteins on the taste sensation to various stimuli in humans by a psychophysical method. Among various lipoproteins composed of different of lipids and proteins, the lipoproteins composed of PA and proteins were most effective in suppressing bitter taste. The lipoproteins composed of PA and LG, bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, alpha-lactoalbumin or casein similarly suppressed effects on sensation of bitter taste. Using PA-LG, the effects on taste sensation to various stimuli were examined. The bitter taste of all twelve substances examined was inhibited, while saltiness of NaCl and sweetness of sucrose were not inhibited. The inhibition of bitter taste was completely reversible. Masking of the target sites for bitter substances on the taste receptor membranes with PA-LG seems to contribute to the inhibition of bitter taste. Direct binding of the bitter substances to PA-LG in the medium also contributes to the inhibition of bitter taste of certain substances. Among various drugs, basic and hydrophobic substances such as quinine, denatortium and propranolol have low taste thresholds and are said to be the most bitter. PA-LG most effectively suppressed the bitter taste of such substances. PA originates from soybeans and the proteins used except for bovine serum albumin originate from milk or eggs, and hence the lipoproteins can be safely used to mask the bitter taste of drugs.

Obesity in dogs and cats have been increasingly recognized in recent years. Because obesity underlies various diseases, pet owners and veterinarians have an important responsibility to help animals lose weight and maintain their health. Diet therapy, however, is typically based on limited calorie intake and animals may suffer stress from hunger and this is also a concern to animal owners. For this reason, many clients drop out of weight control programmes. In the present study, we focused on dietary diacylglycerol (DAG) as a potentially effective ingredient for canine weight control without caloric restriction. We replaced a portion of the fat in dog food with either DAG or triacylglycerol (TAG), referred to as DAG or TAG diets here, and fed overweight beagle dogs (body condition score of 4 or higher) with either the DAG or TAG diet for a 6-week period. Results indicated that, even though the food composition other than fat type were identical, dogs fed the DAG diet showed a statistically significant reduction in body weight averaging a 2.3% reduction within 6 weeks while the TAG-fed dogs maintained their obese body weights. In addition, the DAG group also showed a reduction in body fat content, serum triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations. These results suggest the possibility of developing a pet food using DAG to control weight and serum lipid levels without compromising caloric intake.

Patchouli, Pogostemon cablin Benth., is an important source of essential oil. On the basis of botanical observations and gas‐chromatographic patterns of oils obtained, the major characteristics of three cultivars were compared. From cultivar I, an oil close to that commercially available was produced with a yield of 1.6% (wt/wt). From cultivar II, a lower yield of an oil having an additional component was obtained. From cultivar III, a relatively high amount of oil was recovered from each plant owing to the bigger canopy it forms. The quality of the oil, however, was judged to be markedly different from that of others. Each cultivar could be identified by its characteristic leaf morphology and trichome density.