SummaryThe concentrations of metabolites in human plasma after ingestion of flavanone glycosides (FG) and their aglycones (FA) in lemon were examined. FG consisting abundantly of eriocitrin were prepared from lemon peel and FA consisting abundantly of eriodictyol were prepared from FG by treatment with ␤-glucosidase. Eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, and hesperetin in plasma up to 4 h after ingestion of FG with water or FA with water by subjects were not detected in plasma of non-enzyme treatment but in plasma after treatment with ␤-glucronidase and sulfatase. Metabolites in plasma after ingestion of FG and FA in humans were shown to exist as the glucuro-and/or sulfo-conjugates of eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, and hesperetin. After ingestion of FA, the concentration of metabolites in plasma exhibited a high maximum peak at 1 h. The AUC (area under the blood concentration time curve) level of metabolites of FA was higher than that of FG. FA were suggested to be absorbed faster and in higher amounts than FG. The AUC of metabolites in subject plasma after ingestion of FG with flavonoid-depleted lemon juice was shown to change to a low level in comparison with that of FG with water. The maximum concentration peak of metabolites in plasma was faster at 0.5 h than FA with water but the AUC level was similar to FA with water, when subjects ingested FA with vodka (40% ethanol). The absorption hour of FG and FA was shown to be affected by the co-existing solution. Key Words lemon flavonoid, eriocitrin, plasma, human, ingestion Epidemiological studies indicate a protective relationship between the consumption of citrus fruits or juice and the risk of ischemic stroke and lung cancer (1, 2). Some fundamental studies support a protective effect provided by flavonoid consumption in these diseases (3-6). Citrus fruits contain various kinds of flavonoids such as flavanone glycoside, flavone glycoside, and polymethoxyflavone (3, 4). Flavonoids in lemon fruit (Citrus limon BURM. f.) have been reported to be such flavanone glycosides as eriocitrin (eriodictyol 7-O-␤-rutinoside) and hesperidin (hesperetin 7-O-␤-rutinoside) and such flavone glycosides as diosmin (diosmetin 7-O-␤-rutinoside) and 6,8 C-diglucosyldiosmetin (7-10). Eriocitrin has been reported to be the most abundant flavonoid in lemon fruit and to have the highest antioxidative activity of the flavonoids in citrus fruits in vitro (9,11). It was also shown to have a suppressive effect for oxidative stress in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (12) or exercise-induced rats (13).For the study of functional compounds such as flavonoids in foods, it is important to determine how the compounds in food are metabolized and absorbed in vivo and how the metabolites function in a living system. There have been several human studies that have investigated the metabolism and absorption of flavonoids (14), such as anthocyanin (15, 16), flavonol (17, 18), isoflavone (19), and flavanone (20-22). As for eriocitrin, it was reported for metabolites by human intestinal bacteri...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of egg white protein compared to carbohydrate intake prior to exercise on fat free mass (FFM), one repetition maximum (1RM) muscle strength and blood biochemistry in female athletes. Thirty healthy female collegiate athletes were recruited for this study and matched by sport type, body fat percentage and 1RM leg curl muscle strength. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: protein group (15.0 g egg white protein; 75 kcal) and carbohydrate group (17.5 g maltodextrin, 78 kcal). Supplements were administered daily at the same time in a double-blind manner prior to training during an 8-week period. Measurements were performed before and after the 8-week regimen. The mean dietary energy intake did not change throughout the study period. FFM and 1RM assessments (i.e., leg curl, leg extension, squat, and bench press) increased in both groups. Furthermore, serum urea and serum citrulline levels after the 8-week regimen increased significantly only in the protein group. Our findings indicated that compared to the carbohydrate supplement, the protein supplement was associated with some changes in protein metabolites but not with changes in body composition or muscle strength.

To obtain an effective solution of the poorly water soluble antimalarial agent artemisinin, the use of several kinds of cyclodextrins (CDs) as solubilizers was examined. The following CDs were used in this study: alpha-CD, beta-CD, gamma-CD as parent CDs, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-CD (HP-beta-CD), sulfobutyl ether beta-CD (SBE7-beta-CD), heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-CD (DM-beta-CD), 2,3,6-partially methylated-beta-CD (PM-beta-CD) as modified CDs, and glucosyl-beta-CD (G1-beta-CD), and maltosyl-beta-CD (G2-beta-CD) as branched CDs. The solubility curves of artemisinin with CDs can all be classified as type AL. The apparent stability constants for artemisinin-parent CD complexes increased in the order of alpha- < gamma- < or = beta-CD. The constants for artemisinin-beta-CD derivative (and beta-CD) complexes increased in the order of G2-beta-CD approximately equal to G1-beta-CD approximately equal to PM-beta-CD approximately equal to beta-CD < HP-beta-CD < SBE7-beta-CD < DM-beta-CD. These results suggest that the addition of CDs enables the solubilization of artemisinin.

SummaryThe egg is a nutrient-dense food and contains a number of antioxidants. The consumption of eggs has been considered to improve the balance of diets, although its impact on serum cholesterol levels has been a matter of concern in many countries. Here, we conducted a pilot study to investigate whether daily additional consumption of an egg might affect serum lipid profiles and also antioxidant status in healthy subjects. Fourteen male subjects were provided with breakfasts including a boiled egg for 4 wk. At the end of intervention, serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were unchanged, despite the significant increase in the intake of dietary cholesterol. In contrast, a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and a reduction of the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were observed. Interestingly, the malondialdehyde modified-LDL (MDA-LDL)/LDL-C ratio and the oxidizability of LDL were significantly reduced. Serum total antioxidant capacity value after the intervention period was higher than at baseline. These data indicate that consuming one egg per day for 4 wk as breakfast in addition to a normal diet does not affect serum lipids, and suggests that it may improve serum antioxidant status in healthy males.