Effect of shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and maitake (Grifola frondosa) mushrooms on blood pressure and plasma lipids of spontaneously hypertensive rats

To study the effect of Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa) on hypertension, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were fed a diet containing 5% mushroom powder and 0.5% NaCl solution as drinking water for 9 weeks. The dietary mushrooms decreased the blood pressure. The plasma free cholesterol level decreased in Shiitake-fed animals, whereas in Maitake-fed animals the total cholesterol level decreased. There was no difference in the plasma triglyceride and phospholipid levels among the experimental groups. Shiitake feeding resulted in a decrease in VLDL- and HDL-cholesterol whereas Maitake feeding caused a decrease in VLDL-cholesterol only. Plasma LDL-cholesterol was not affected by dietary mushrooms. The results suggest that dietary mushrooms prevent blood pressure increase in hypertension.     

湖南地区5种常见食用菌的氨基酸组成及营养评价

目的 对湖南地区5种常见食用菌的氨基酸组成及含量进行分析评价,为食用菌合理利用提供依据。 方法 采用Kjeltee 2300自动凯氏定氮仪对湖南地区5种常见食用菌的蛋白质进行测定,采用曼默博尔A300全自动氨基酸分析仪进行氨基酸成分分析;采用氨基酸评分法对食用菌营养价值进行了评价。结果 食用菌除了杏鲍菇和茶树菇不含蛋氨酸以及香菇不含蛋氨酸和酪氨酸外,其余均含16种氨基酸;香菇中的蛋白质含量、氨基酸含量以及必需氨基酸含量均最高,分别为3 807、2 279、665 mg/100 g;5种食用菌的必需氨基酸中以苏氨酸和亮氨酸含量较高;5种食用菌口感好,但杏鲍菇口感不如另外4种食用菌;香菇中苏氨酸含量(38.16 mg/g蛋白)略低于WHO/FAO模式(40 mg/g蛋白),其余4种食用菌的苏氨酸含量均高于WHO/FAO模式,分别为双孢菇(43.33 mg/g蛋白)、金针菇(43.48 mg/g蛋白)、杏鲍菇(41.60 mg/g蛋白)、茶树菇(56.52 mg/g蛋白);茶树菇中苏氨酸含量(56.52 mg/g蛋白)高于卵清蛋白模式(51 mg/g蛋白);苏氨酸的氨基酸评分最高,为141.30,因此氨基酸模式为最优;5种食用菌的限制氨基酸均为苯丙氨酸和酪氨酸或异亮氨酸。结论 食用菌中苏氨酸含量优异,具有较高的营养价值;可以通过与富含苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸或异亮氨酸的食物等进行结合食用,构建合理膳食,提高食用价值。     

Dietary mushrooms reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)

The blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were significantly reduced by Maitake feeding for 8 weeks period beginning at a time when the animals were 10 weeks of age with well-established high blood pressure. There was no difference in the plasma total and free cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid levels between the Maitake fed animals and the control. On the other hand, Shiitake mushroom did not reduce the blood pressure, but significantly lower the plasma free cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid in compared with the control. The results suggest that dietary Maitake mushroom reduce the blood pressure.     

White button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels in diabetic and hypercholesterolemic rats

Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom; WBM) contains high levels of dietary fibers and antioxidants including vitamin C, D, and B₁₂; folates; and polyphenols that may provide beneficial effects on cardiovascular and diabetic diseases. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that intake of the fruiting bodies of WBM regulates anticholesterolemic and antiglycemic responses in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (0.5% cholesterol; 14% fat) and rats with type 2 diabetes induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg body weight), respectively. The STZ-induced diabetic male Sprague-Dawley rats fed the Agaricus bisporus powder (ABP; 200 mg/kg of body weight) for 3 weeks had significantly reduced plasma glucose and triglyceride (TG) concentrations (24.7% and 39.1%, respectively), liver enzyme activities, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (11.7% and 15.7%, respectively), and liver weight gain (P < .05). In hypercholesterolemic rats, oral feeding of ABP for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (22.8% and 33.1%, respectively) (P < .05). A similar significant decrease in hepatic cholesterol and TG concentrations was observed (36.2% and 20.8%, respectively) (P < .05). Decrease in TC, LDL, and TG concentrations was accompanied by a significant increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein concentrations. It was concluded that A bisporus mushroom had both hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity in rats.     

Retinol concentrations in liver and serum among children who died in a diarrheal hospital in Bangladesh

To determine the vitamin A status of children with severe illnesses, we compared retinol concentrations in the liver and serum, histopathology of liver, and clinical complications in subjects who died in a diarrheal hospital. The median age of the study children (12 boys and 11 girls) was 24 months. About 87% (20/23) of the children were severely malnourished, having a median weight-for-age z scores of −4.35 (range, −5.55 to −2.50). All children were admitted with a history of diarrhea. They had multiple diseases or complications leading to death, including pneumonia, septicemia, colitis, and protein energy malnutrition. Stool cultures yielded Shigella in 11, Vibrio cholera in three, and Samonella group-B in one. Liver and serum retinol concentrations were found inadequate in 79% (15/19) and 89% (17/19) of the subjects, respectively. Concentrations of retinol in the liver and serum correlated strongly even after controlling for liver weight (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) and weight-for-age z scores (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Liver histopathology showed moderate to diffuse fatty changes in those children who had deficient liver retinol (< 0.07 μmol/g). These results indicate that children with fatal illnesses and complications have markedly decreased liver and serum retinol.     

Effect of a high-carbohydrate vs a high–cis-monounsaturated fat diet on lipid and lipoproteins in individuals with and without type 2 diabetes

It is not known whether the extent of the improvement in lipids and lipoproteins on a high–cis-monounsaturated (high-mono) diet compared with a high-carbohydrate (high-carb) diet is different in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nondiabetic subjects. The aim of this study is to compare the effect of a high-mono and a high-carb diet on lipids and lipoproteins in patients with T2DM and nondiabetic subjects.

Ten healthy nondiabetic men, 8 men with T2DM on dietary therapy alone, and 10 men with T2DM requiring insulin therapy were fed an isoenergic high-carb diet (60% energy as carbohydrate and 25% as fat) and a high-mono diet (50% energy as fat and 35% as carbohydrate) for 2 to 4 weeks in a randomized, crossover fashion. Dietary fiber, simple carbohydrates, and cholesterol were held constant across diets. The lipid and lipoprotein responses to these diets were compared in nondiabetic and T2DM subjects by repeated measures analysis of variance model. Patients with T2DM had 2.2 to 2.3 times greater reductions in plasma triacylglycerol, very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TC/HDLC) on the high-mono diet compared with the high-carb diet than the nondiabetic subjects (P = .02-.04). The reductions in triacylglycerol and VLDL cholesterol were 2.7 times greater (P = .009-.02) in T2DM subjects with high plasma triacylglycerol concentrations (>2.26 mmol/L) but only 1.4 to 2.0 times greater (P = .16-.52) in T2DM patients with low triacylglycerol concentrations (<2.26 mmol/L) compared with nondiabetic subjects who all had low triacylglycerol concentrations (<2.26 mmol/L). Patients with T2DM experienced greater decreases in plasma triacylglycerol, VLDL cholesterol, and TC/HDLC on a high-mono diet compared with a high-carb diet than nondiabetic subjects. The extents of the improvements were likely related to plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in patients with T2DM.     

Conjugated linoleic acid reduces early aortic atherosclerosis greater than linoleic acid in hypercholesterolemic hamsters

Thirty-six male F₁B hamsters, 10 weeks of age, were divided into 3 groups of 12 based on similar body weights. The experimental diets comprised of a chow-based hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with 20% coconut oil, 2% safflower oil, and 0.12% cholesterol (HCD); the HCD plus either 1% CLA as the free fatty acid (CLA), or 1% LA as the free fatty acid (LA) and were fed for 12 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol (TC) and nonHDL-C (very low- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were significantly lower in the CLA and LA relative to the HCD (P < 0.05). The CLA had significantly less maximum number of dienes formed relative to the LA and HCD (P < 0.05). The CLA developed significantly less early aortic atherosclerosis relative to both the HCD and LA (P < 0.05). Thus it appears CLA reduces the development of early aortic atherosclerosis to a greater degree than LA possibly through changes in LDL oxidative susceptibility in hypercholesterolemic hamsters.     

Effects of ��-lipoic acid and L-carnosine supplementation on antioxidant activities and lipid profiles in rats

α-Lipoic acid and L-carnosine are powerful antioxidants and are often used as a health supplement and as an ergogenic aid. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of α-lipoic acid and/or L-carnosine supplementation on antioxidant activity in serum, skin, and liver of rats and blood lipid profiles for 6 weeks. Four treatment groups received diets containing regular rat chow diet (control, CON), 0.5% α-lipoic acid (ALA), 0.25% α-lipoic acid + 0.25% L-carnosine (ALA + LC), or 0.5% L-carnosine (LC). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, were analyzed in serum, skin, and liver. Blood lipid profiles were measured, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Skin and liver SOD activities of the ALA and LC groups were higher than those of the CON group (P < 0.05), but serum SOD activity was higher only in the LC group compared to that in the CON group (P < 0.05). Additionally, only liver GSH-Px activity in the LC group was higher than that of the CON and the other groups. Serum and skin MDA levels in the ALA and LC groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Serum TG and TC in the ALA and ALA + LC groups were lower than those in the CON and LC groups (P < 0.05). The HDL-C level in the LC group was higher than that in any other group (P < 0.05). LDL-C level was lower in the ALA + LC and LC groups than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). Thus, α-lipoic acid and L-carnosine supplementation increased antioxidant activity, decreased lipid peroxidation in the serum, liver, and skin of rats and positively modified blood lipid profiles.     

Therapeutic effects for hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by Japanese mushroom (Bunashimeji)

BACKGROUND: Bunashimeji-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis is found among workers who cultivate the mushroom in indoor facilities. An evaluation of protective measures was initiated using the outcomes of clinical, immunological, and radiological findings. METHODS: Twenty-two patients presented with symptoms of HP; all were employed cultivating Bunashimeji mushrooms in indoor facilities. After hospitalization, 6 of 22 patients quit their job to avoid exposure to spores (Avoidance group). Sixteen patients continued to work used a mask for 3 months, and were then divided into two subgroups: Mask alone (seven patients) and mask plus oral prednisolone (Mask + PSL) (nine patients). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum Krebs von der Lungen-6 (KL-6), surfactant protein-D (SP-D), lymphocyte stimulation test (LST), ground-glass scores in chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were assessed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Complete avoidance resulted in a significant decrease in LST. There was a significant decrease after PSL treatment in serum KL-6, SP-D, and total cell counts in the BAL fluid in the Mask + PSL group. In the Mask alone group, serum KL-6, SP-D, ground-glass scores in chest HRCT and total cell counts in BAL fluid showed high levels compared with the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Complete cessation was the best treatment for hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The use of a mask was ineffective for patients with a high serum KL-6 and SP-D concentration and severe ground-glass opacity on chest HRCT. Initial treatment with PSL is recommended for these patients with high levels of total cell counts in BAL fluid.     

贵州省居民食用野生蘑菇知信行调查分析

目的 对贵州省部分人群食用野生蘑菇相关知识的知晓情况、态度及行为(知信行)进行调查,分析影响因素,为贵州省毒蘑菇中毒的预防与控制提供技术支持.方法 采用分层随机抽样,调查员通过纸质版问卷和微信问卷星两种方式对贵州省88个县(区)城镇年龄大于12岁、身体健康并在当地居住满半年以上的居民进行毒蘑菇中毒相关知识问卷调查,并采...     

Measures of zinc status in ewes civen a low zinc diet throughout pregnancy

The severe effects on both the dam and fetus of inadequate zinc (Zn) intake during pregnancy in animals indicate that good methods of monitoring Zn status in pregnant women may be critical. Plasma/serum Zn concentration, the most commonly used criterion, is not as good an indicator of Zn status as is needed. The effect of low Zn intake on other possible indicators of Zn status has therefore been investigated in the pregnant ewe. Thirty adult primiparous Finncross ewes were fed a low Zn (<1 ppm) diet with (+Zn, n=14) or without (−Zn, n=16) supplemental Zn in drinking water starting day 1 of pregnancy. Plasma mannosidase (Mann) activity with and without added Zn in vitro and alkaline phosphatase (Alk Phos) activity were determined at intervals throughout pregnancy. Zn concentrations of selected tissues were determined in 5 ewes from each treatment after delivery. Addition of Zn in vitro stimulated Mann activity to a greater extent in plasma from −Zn than +Zn ewes; the stimulation increased as pregnancy progressed. Plasma Alk Phos activity was lower in −Zn than +Zn ewes throughout pregnancy. Zn concentration in colostrum was lower in −Zn than +Zn ewes. Zn concentrations in the tissues measured were not greatly different in −Zn and +Zn ewes. Of the parameters measured stimulation of Mann activity by added Zn in vitro was the best indicator of Zn status.     

A search for serologic correlates of immunity to Bordetella pertussis cough illnesses

In a pertussis vaccine efficacy trial in Germany we collected sera from vaccinees (DTaP or DTP) after the third and fourth doses of vaccine or at comparable time periods in DT vaccine recipients. In addition, sera were collected from a randomized sample of subjects in each vaccine group at approximately 3-month intervals from which antibody kinetic curves were constructed, which allowed us to estimate specific antibody values to pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin and fimbriae-2 at the time of exposure in the household setting. The imputed geometric mean antibody values to PT, pertactin and fimbriae-2 at the time of household exposure to Bordetella pertussis infection were higher (p < 0.07 or lower) in non-cases compared with cases. A multivariate (classification tree) analysis found that only pertactin and PT were significant in protection. Subjects with an imputed pertactin value of < 7 EU ml⁻¹ had a 67% (18/27) chance of infection regardless of the PT value. If the pertactin value was ≥ 7 EU ml⁻¹ and the PT value ≥ 66 EU ml⁻¹ all subjects were non-cases. If the pertactin value was ≥ 7 and the PT value was < 66 EU ml⁻¹ the predicted probability of being a case was 31% (15/49). Logistic regression analysis also found that high versus low pertactin values were associated with illness prevention following household exposure. In the presence of antibody to pertactin, PT and fimbriae-2, the additional presence of antibody to FHA did not contribute to protection. Our data support historical data indicating that agglutinating antibodies are associated with protection and also recent serologic correlates data and clinical efficacy data which indicate that multicomponent vaccines containing pertactin and fimbriae have better efficacy than PT or PT/FHA vaccines.     

Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes by Pycnogenol supplementation

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at considerable risk of excessive morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the clinical effectiveness of Pycnogenol, a flavonoid-rich dietary supplement, in reducing antihypertensive medication use and CVD risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Forty-eight individuals were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with parallel-group design. Patients were diagnosed with both type 2 diabetes and mild to moderate hypertension and were undergoing treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either Pycnogenol pill (125 mg daily) or matched placebo for 12 weeks. According to the values of blood pressure (BP) measured at 2-week intervals, the pretrial ACE inhibitor dosage was left unchanged, reduced by 50%, or brought back to the pretrial dosage until a stable BP was obtained. Fasting plasma glucose, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum endothelin-1, and urinary albumin were evaluated monthly. Pycnogenol treatment achieved BP control in 58.3% of subjects at the end of the 12 weeks with 50% reduction in individual pretrial dose of ACE-inhibitors (P <.05). Plasma endothelin-1 decreased by 3.9 pg/mL in Pycnogenol-treated group vs 0.5 pg/mL increase in control group (P < .001). Mean HbA1c dropped by 0.8% in Pycnogenol-treated group (P < .05), whereas it decreased by 0.1% in control group. Fasting plasma glucose declined by 23.7 mg/dL in Pycnogenol-treated group vs 5.7 mg/dL in control group (P < .0001). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol improved significantly in Pycnogenol-treated group, declining by 12.7 mg/dL (P < .001). A significant decrease in urinary albumin level was observed at week 8 compared with the control group (P < .05). However, this reduction was not significant at 12th week. After 12 weeks of supplementation, Pycnogenol resulted in improved diabetes control, lowered CVD risk factors, and reduced antihypertensive medicine use vs controls.     

Assessment of the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a quadrivalent diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis and hepatitis B (DTPa-HBV) vaccine administered in a single injection with Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine, to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age

This double-blind, randomised study was performed to assess the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of three lots of a quadrivalent diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-hepatitis B vaccine (DTPa-HBV) co-administered with three lots of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (Hib) vaccine in one injection, as a primary vaccination course in healthy infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. 269 infants (8–11 weeks of age) were randomly allocated to three groups to receive DTPa-HBV/Hib vaccines, concomitantly with oral polio vaccine. Blood samples for antibody determinations were taken before vaccination and 1 month after the third dose in 262 subjects. Local and general symptoms were recorded by parents on diary cards. All vaccinees had post-vaccination protective anti-D and anti-T (≥0.1 IU ml⁻¹) antibodies, and 98% had protective anti-HBs antibody titres (≥10 mIU ml⁻¹). There were no statistically significant differences between groups in post-vaccination anti-D, anti-T, anti-HBs antibody geometric mean titres (GMT), these being 3.49 IU ml⁻¹, 5.92 IU ml⁻¹ and 1109 mIU ml⁻¹, respectively. All subjects responded to three pertussis components, i.e. pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA) and pertactin (PRN). Although statistically significant differences in GMTs of anti-PT, anti-FHA and anti-PRN were found between groups, these were not believed to be of any clinical relevance as the minimum GMTs were 60, 193 and 230 EL.U ml⁻¹ for anti-PT, anti-FHA and anti-PRN, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in anti-PRP antibody GMT (4.05 μg ml⁻¹) between groups, 100% and 85% of subjects having titres ≥0.15 and 1.0 μg ml⁻¹, respectively. No symptoms were reported for one third of the subjects. Fever ( > 38°C) was reported after 16% of doses, with <1% having >39.5°C. Almost all local and general symptoms were mild or moderate, and lasted less than 48 h. No subject dropped out due to a severe adverse reaction. The administration of an experimental mix of DTPa-HBV and Hib vaccines in a single injection is safe, well-tolerated and immunogenic for all vaccine components.     

蘑菇片治疗人体高血脂的效果观察

采用蘑菇片剂对摄取一般膳食和高营养膳食的高血脂患者进行降血脂效果观察,治疗期为3个月。结果表明,血清胆固醇和甘油三酯浓度平均值明显下降,摄取一般膳食的高血脂患者,血清胆固醇浓度平均下降59.5mg％(P<0.05),甘油三酯浓度平均下降175.5mg％(P<0.05)。降血脂的有效率为90.0％。摄取高营养膳食患者,血清胆固醇浓度下降42.4mg％(P<0.01),甘油三酯浓度下降15.4mg％,血清HDL-C/LDL-C比值从0.46升高至0.59,TC/HDL-C比值从4.12下降到3.57。治疗三个月后,总的治愈率为64.7％。     

小蘖碱对高脂血症鼠脂联素的调控作用及其对血脂指标和斑块形成的影响

目的 研究小蘖碱对高脂血症鼠脂联素的调控作用及其对血脂指标和斑块形成的影响。 方法 在40只Wistar雄性鼠随机选取30只并喂养高脂饲料饮食进行高血脂(HLP)造模,对照组(n=10)则喂养正常食物并自由摄取水。10周后,将HLP模型随机分为3组: HLP组(n=10)、HLP+LBB组(n=10)和HLP+HBB组(n=10)。对HLP+LBB组鼠进行低剂量小檗碱(berberine, BB)灌胃(150 mg/(kg·d)), HLP+HBB组高剂量小檗碱灌胃(300 mg/(kg·d)),对照组和HLP组则以生理盐水代替。连续喂养10周后测定并比较4组鼠血清甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、血清总脂联素和高分子量脂联素含量,以及心肌梗死斑块面积。 结果 造模后,与对照组相比,HLP组大鼠TG、TC和LDL-C显著升高,HDL-C水平显著下降(P<0.05)。提示HLP大鼠造模成功。与HLP组相比,HLP+LBB组、HLP+HBB组TG、TC和LDL-C显著降低(P<0.001),HLP+LBB组HDL-C水平显著升高(P<0.05)。四组大鼠血清总脂联素含量差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但HLP组中高分子量脂联素与总脂联素的比值显著低于对照组, 而HLP+HBB组显著高于HLP组(P<0.05)。与对照组比较,AdipoR1在HLP组中表达下调(P<0.05), 而HLP+HBB组显著高于HLP组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。AdipoR2在HLP组中的表达无明显变化,但HLP+HBB组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。HLP+HBB组梗塞面积[(11.4±1.0)%)]显著低于HLP组[(52.2±0.9)%]和HLP+LBB组[(33.1±1.1)%](均P<0.05)。 结论 小蘖碱可对抗高脂血症鼠血中脂联素的下调,这一干预可能在血脂指标和斑块形成方面起到改善作用。     

A high-fat diet inhibits the progression of diabetes mellitus in type 2 diabetic rats

It is well known that rats and mice, when fed a high-fat diet, develop obesity associated with abnormal glycolipid metabolism. In this study, we investigated the effects of a high-fat diet on a diabetic rat model, Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT), which develops diabetes due to decreased insulin production and secretion with age. We hypothesized that a high-fat diet would accelerate the induction of diabetes in this model. The SDT rats were divided into 2 groups, which were fed a high-fat diet or standard diet for 16 weeks. The group fed a high-fat diet developed obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia until 16 weeks of age. Before 16 weeks of age, hyperglycemia accompanied by hypoinsulinemia developed in the group on a standard diet, but serum glucose levels were comparable in both groups. After 16 weeks of age, the group on a standard diet showed an increase in serum glucose levels and a decrease in serum insulin levels. Unexpectedly, in the group on the high-fat diet, we observed a suppressed of the progression of hyperglycemia/hypoinsulinemia. Histopathological observation revealed more pancreatic beta cells in the group on the high-fat diet. This study suggests that feeding SDT rats a high-fat diet induces obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia, but not hyperglycemia, until 16 weeks of age. Thereafter, age-dependent progress of hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia was delayed by a high-fat diet. The hyperfunction of pancreatic beta cells induced by a high-fat diet before the onset of hyperglycemia appears to suppress development of hyperglycemia/hypoinsulinemia.     

Effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on serum lipids and inflammatory markers in lipopolysaccharide treated rats fed an atherogenic diet

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on anti-inflammation and lipid profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (6-weeks-old) were equally divided into the following five groups: 1) normal diet group + saline (NC); 2) atherogenic diet + saline (HFC); 3) atherogenic diet + LPS (HL); 4) atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry power + LPS (C5); 5) atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry power + LPS (C10). LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavities of rats 18 hours prior to sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, we measured serum lipid profiles as well as levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The mean serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in C5 rats was significantly higher than that in NC and HL rats (P < 0.05). The mean serum levels of CRP and IL-1β were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the cranberry powder groups compared to those in HL rats. Additionally, mean serum IL-6 levels tended to be lower in the cranberry groups than that in the HL group, whereas serum IL-10 and NO showed 29% and 88% higher mean values in the C5 group and 49% and 24% higher in the C10 group than those in the HL group, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-dried cranberry powder may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases by modifying serum lipids and the early inflammatory response.     

Determination of the bioavailability of cadmium in mushrooms in a feeding experiment with rats; relevance for man

A pulverized mixture of Agaricus species known to accumulate cadmium, mixed 15:85 with standard rat diet, was fed to a group of growing rats. The mixture contained 3.87 micrograms Cd/g dry weight. A control group received the standard rat diet alone (0.08 microgram Cd/g). During the feeding period of 6 weeks the animals of both groups excreted about 90% of the ingested cadmium in the faeces. In comparison to the control group, the experimental group accumulated much more cadmium in liver, kidneys, and remaining carcass. While it is concluded that the bioavailability of cadmium contained in mushrooms is not less than that of cadmium contained in other feeds and foods, most mushroom species do not contain more cadmium than other vegetables. In humans the average cadmium intake from the total diet is considerably below the tolerable level. Generalized warnings against consumption of mushrooms are therefore not considered necessary.     

Study of mercury content in wild edible mushrooms and its contribution to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake in Spain

The study determined total mercury (Hg) content of 10 wild edible mushroom species collected in southern Spain. Results indicated that the highest Hg level corresponded to Boletus aereus with 10.28 ± 2.92 mg/kg DW (dry weight), while the lowest Hg level was found in Terfezia arenaria with 0.09 ± 0.08 mg/kg DW. Regarding the anatomic parts of the mushrooms, caps showed significantly higher Hg concentrations than stems in B. aereus, Amanita caesarea and Macrolepiota procera. The percentage of contribution to the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for Hg was also calculated. Based on consumption data in Spain (0.011 kg/person/week), %PTWI was calculated ranging between 0.06 and 3.5% for mean Hg levels. When a high level of consumption was assumed (0.100 kg/person/week), %PTWI ranged between 0.58 and 31%. Results suggest that wild edible mushrooms in southern Spain could contribute with high Hg levels to the Spanish diet. However, the lack of consumption data for wild edible mushrooms made it difficult to give more definitive conclusions; hence further studies including specific consumption data will be needed.