The sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of rat ventricular myocytes already functions early in the fetal period. However, ignition of Ca(2+) sparks depends on postnatal t-tubule formation and resultant colocalization of DHPR and RyR.

Skin is a major safeguard tissue in humans. Because biological barrier function is deteriorated by several kinds of stresses including exposure to ultra-violet (UV) rays, the protection and treatment of skin conditions by dietary supplements are important. We therefore evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with an algal food-derived antioxidant, astaxanthin, on UV-induced skin deterioration. Twenty-three healthy Japanese participants were recruited to a 10-week double-blind placebo-controlled study. They were assigned to the astaxanthin group supplemented with a capsule containing 4 mg of astaxanthin or the placebo group. To assess the protective role of astaxanthin for UV-induced skin deterioration, we determined the minimal erythema dose (MED) and analyzed UV-induced changes of moisture and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) at baseline and after 9 weeks of supplementation. Subjective skin conditions were assessed by the visual analog scale. The astaxanthin group showed increased MED compared with placebo. In addition, the astaxanthin group had a reduced loss of skin moisture in the irradiated area compared with placebo. Subjective skin conditions for “improvement of rough skin” and “texture” in non-irradiated areas were significantly improved by astaxanthin. Astaxanthin seems protective against UV-induced skin deterioration and helps maintain healthy skin in healthy people.

Aging-associated changes of skin conditions are a major concern for maintaining quality of life. Therefore, the improvement of skin conditions by dietary supplementation is a topic of public interest. In this study, we hypothesized that a composite supplement containing fish derived-collagen peptide and ornithine (CPO) could improve skin conditions by increasing plasma growth hormone and/or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. Twenty-two healthy Japanese participants were enrolled in an 8-week double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. They were assigned to either a CPO group, who were supplemented with a drink containing CPO, or an identical placebo group. We examined skin conditions including elasticity and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), as well as plasma growth hormone and IGF-1 levels. Skin elasticity and TEWL were significantly improved in the CPO group compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, only the CPO group showed increased plasma IGF-1 levels after 8 weeks of supplementation compared with the baseline. Our results might suggest the novel possibility for the use of CPO to improve skin conditions by increasing plasma IGF-1 levels.

BackgroundIn humans, skipping meals, especially breakfast, has been associated with obesity and other related syndromes. Recent studies in rodents suggest that fasting and feeding times are potential factors that affect the peripheral circadian clocks and metabolism. However, the link between fasting and obesity in rodents has yet to be fully demonstrated.MethodWe conducted early nocturnal fasting (ENF) from zeitgeber time (ZT) 12 to 18 for 4 consecutive days in C57B6 mice. The first set of experiments was performed under ad libitum conditions, where ENF and free-feeding (FF) control groups were compared. The second set was performed under isocaloric adjustment by restricting the diet to 90% of the basal intake of ENF mice. Calorie-restricted ENF (ENF-CR) mice were then compared with isocaloric controls (IC-control). Body weight, food intake, core body temperature, activity, adiposity, and clock-related gene expression levels in the liver and adipose tissues were investigated. A stable isotopic analysis was also conducted to estimate de novo lipogenesis fluxes.Results In the ad libitum condition, the ENF mice ate more during the day, increased their overall daily food intake and gained more weight than FF-control mice. The amplitude of the body core temperature rhythm in ENF mice was also lower than in the FF-controls. Under isocaloric conditions, ENF-CR attenuated the CR-induced body weight loss, compared with the IC-control. ENF-CR also altered the acrophase time of the expression of the clock genes, which is associated with time-shift of genes involved in lipid metabolism and increased lipogenesis, compared with the IC-control.ConclusionsENF in nocturnal mice disturbs the peripheral clock and increases de novo lipid synthesis and results in a predisposition to obesity.

Endothelially-derived NO is an important modulator of sustained agonist-induced vasoconstriction. NO, as well as endothelially-derived cyclooxygenase products and EDHF, also contribute significantly to phenylephrine-induced oscillatory vasomotion.

Background:Dementia and its first or transitional stage, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), is a major concern for the aging Japanese society. Thus, the use of dietary supplements to improve or maintain cognitive function has become a topic of public interest.Objective:In this study, we evaluated the effects of a composite supplement containing food-derived antioxidants, specifically astaxanthin and sesamin (AS), on cognitive function in people with MCI.Method:Twenty-one healthy participants with MCI were recruited in our double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study. They were assigned to either an AS group, who received ingestible capsules containing AS, or a placebo group, who received identical placebo capsules. To assess cognitive functions, we performed the Japanese version of the Central Nervous System Vital Signs (CNSVS) test and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cog test at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks of dietary supplementation.Results:The CNSVS test revealed significant improvements in psychomotor speed and processing speed in the AS group compared with the placebo group, suggesting that the daily supplementation of AS improved cognitive functions related to the ability to comprehend, and perform complex tasks quickly and accurately.Conclusion:Our results provide support for the use of AS as a dietary supplementation for improving cognitive functions.

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A rapid increase in isoflurane or desflurane concentration induces tachycardia and hypertension and increases-plasma catecholamine concentration. Little information is available as to whether sevoflurane, halothane, and enflurane induce similar responses during anesthesia induction via mask. Fifty ASA physical status I patients, aged 20-40 yr, and scheduled for elective minor surgery, received one of four volatile anesthetics: sevoflurane, isoflurane, halothane, or enflurane. Anesthesia was induced with thiamylal, followed by inhalation of 0.9 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) of the anesthetic in 100% oxygen via mask. The inspired concentration of anesthetic was increased by 0.9 MAC every 5 min to a maximum of 2.7 MAC. Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured before and every minute for 15 min during anesthetic inhalation. In the sevoflurane and isoflurane groups, venous blood samples were drawn to determine the concentrations of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine 3 min after each increase in anesthetic concentration. Sustained increments in HR were observed after increases in inspired isoflurane concentration to 1.8 MAC and 2.7 MAC (peak changes of 15 +/- 3 and 17 +/- 3 bpm, respectively). Isoflurane also increased SBP transiently after the inspired concentration was increased to 2.7 MAC (peak change of 10 +/- 4 mm Hg). Enflurane increased HR after the inspired concentration was increased to 2.7 MAC (peak change of 9 +/- 2 bpm). In contrast, changes in sevoflurane and halothane concentrations did not induce hyperdynamic responses. Plasma norepinephrine concentration in the isoflurane group was significantly higher than that in the sevoflurane group during 2.7 MAC (P = 0.022). We propose that there is a direct relationship between airway irritation of the anesthetic and immediate cardiovascular change during an inhaled induction of anesthesia.