Biomedical subjects

S Kiriyama

Publications and source records attributed to S Kiriyama.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1998

Resistant proteins alter cecal short-chain fatty acid profiles in rats fed high amylose cornstarch.

The objective of this study was to examine the physiologic importance of undigested protein on cecal fermentation in rats fed a low (LAS) and high (HAS) amylose cornstarch. In Experiment 1, rats were fed diets containing LAS (655 g/kg diet) with one of four protein sources: casein, rice (RP), potato (PP) or soybean protein (SP) at 250 g/kg diet for 15 d. Apparent digestibilities of casein, RP, SP and PP were 96, 94, 93 and 92%, respectively. In rats fed the LAS diet with casein, acetate, propionate and succinate were the major cecal organic acids. The succinate pools in rats fed RP or SP were significantly lower than in those fed casein, whereas butyrate did not differ. Butyrate was significantly higher in rats fed PP, but succinate was the same as in rats fed casein. In Experiment 2, rats were fed diets containing HAS (200 g/kg diet) with one of the four protein sources at 250 g/kg diet for 10 d. HAS was substituted for the same amount of LAS. In rats fed the HAS diet, succinate was the major acid in rats fed casein; in rats fed RP or PP, however, the pools of this acid were significantly lower than in those fed casein, whereas butyrate was significantly higher in rats fed RP or PP. Fecal starch excretion was significantly lower in rats fed RP or PP than in those fed casein. In Experiment 3, rats were fed the casein-HAS diet with graded levels of PP (0, 10, 30, 50, 100 and 250 g/kg diet) for 14 d. The PP was substituted for the same amount of casein. Cecal butyrate was low in rats fed up to 100 g of PP/kg diet and then rose with 250 g of PP/kg diet. In Experiment 4, ileorectostomized rats were used and fed the same diets described in Experiment 3 for 9 d. The ileal starch/nitrogen ratio declined with increasing dietary PP, due solely to greater nitrogen excretion, whereas starch excretion was unaffected. In Experiment 5, rats were fed the casein-HAS diet with or without 60 g of artificial resistant protein/kg diet for 10 d. The resistant protein (apparent digestibility, 63%) was substituted for the same amount of casein. Rats fed the casein-HAS diet with resistant protein had significantly greater cecal butyrate and lower succinate than those fed the casein-HAS diet. These data show that large bowel fermentation of starch is altered by dietary protein. They support the hypothesis that nondigested protein, namely, resistant protein, may control fermentation efficiency as well as the fermentation profile of HAS, possibly as a result of a change in microflora through the change in the ratio of starch to nitrogen in the cecum.

Acetates↗

PubMed1997

Quasispecies nature of hepatitis C virus and response to alpha interferon: significance as a predictor of direct response to interferon.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated the significance of the quasispecies nature of HCV as a predictor of the response to alpha interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Natural alpha interferon was administered in 62 patients for 24 weeks (daily for 2 weeks, then three times weekly for 22 weeks) and factors were analyzed that could affect the response. HCV subtype, HCV RNA concentrations and the number of HCV quasispecies were evaluated before treatment. HCV RNA concentrations were measured by branched DNA probe assay. The number of HCV quasispecies was measured by fluorescence single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: The HCV RNA concentration (p < 0.0001), HCV subtype (p = 0.0076), and the number of HCV quasispecies (p = 0.0024) were significantly associated with a complete response. Multivariate analyses showed that the number of HCV quasispecies was an independent predictor of the disappearance of HCV RNA during the administration of alpha interferon, but did not predict a relapse after its completion. Pretreatment concentration of HCV RNA was the only factor that was related to a long-term disappearance of HCV RNA. CONCLUSIONS: The number of HCV quasispecies was significantly related to the response to alpha interferon early in its administration. The pretreatment concentration of HCV RNA was mainly related to a relapse following completion of treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Significance of tumor vascularity as a predictor of long-term prognosis in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma treated by percutaneous ethanol injection therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We estimated the significance of the vascularity of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as a predictor of long-term prognosis in patients treated with percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT/PEI). METHODS: Fifty-four patients who have been followed-up in our hospital and who had HCC less than 20 mm in diameter were observed for 199 to 2074 days. Hepatic angiography (digital subtraction angiography; DSA and ultrasound angiography with intraarterial CO2 microbubbles; USAG) was performed before treatment in all cases, and the vascularity of the tumor was clinically evaluated. The survival rate was analyzed according to this vascularity. RESULTS: Of the 54 tumors, 24 had tumor stain on DSA, while 30 did not, and 38 showed enhancement on USAG, while 16 did not. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 48.7 and 34.1% and 89.7 and 69.7% of patients with negative staining HCC (p = 0.0723). The rates were 48.6 and 36.7%, respectively, of patients with positive enhancement HCC on USAG, and both rates were 85.7% of patients with negative enhancement HCC (p = 0.0231). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor vascularity will play a role in the long-term prognosis of these patients with small HCC when they are treated with PEIT/PEI.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed1997

Patterns of recurrence after initial treatment in patients with small hepatocellular carcinoma.

To assess intrahepatic metastasis (IM) and multicentric occurrence (MO) after initial treatment of small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) < or = 2 cm in diameter, we performed clinical and pathological studies in 112 patients who underwent percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (PEIT) or hepatic resection for HCC from January 1985 to December 1994. Patients with intrahepatic recurrences were classified into two groups based on the type of recurrence: the IM group (n = 29, 50.9%) and the MO group (n = 28, 49.1%). Overall recurrence rates after initial treatment were 23.7% at 1 year, 64.5% at 3 years, and 76.1% at 5 years. In patients with IM, the majority of intrahepatic recurrences were observed within 3 years of initial treatment and the primary HCC lesions were closely related to the degree of tumor cell differentiation. Alternatively, intrahepatic recurrences occurred throughout the follow-up period in patients with MO, and the evidence of underlying liver disease (anti-HCV [antibody to hepatitis C virus] positive) and elevated serum alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations were closely associated with intrahepatic recurrence. Prognoses following additional treatment in MO group patients were superior to those in IM group patients. These results suggest that differentiation between IM and MO in patients with HCC is important for understanding the development and biological behavior of the tumor. That is, the early detection of intrahepatic recurrence and the institution of appropriate additional therapy (PEIT or hepatic resection) may prolong survival in patients with MO.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Cholesterol-lowering effects of soybean, potato and rice proteins depend on their low methionine contents in rats fed a cholesterol-free purified diet.

Rats were fed cholesterol-free purified diets containing casein, rice (RP), potato (PP) or soybean (SP) proteins having different amounts of methionine (25.9, 21.3, 16.2 and 10.9 g methionine/kg, respectively). Each protein was fed at 250 g/kg diet for 14 d. Growth rates of rats were the same in all groups. Serum total cholesterol concentrations were lower in rats fed SP, PP and RP than in those fed casein. Fecal bile acid plus neutral steroid excretion was significantly higher in rats fed the RP, PP and SP diets compared with those fed casein. There was a significant negative correlation between serum cholesterol concentration and fecal total steroid excretion (r = -0.490, P = 0.01). However, a stronger positive correlation was observed between serum cholesterol concentration and dietary methionine concentration (r = 0.674, P = 0.0003) or methionine:glycine ratios (r = 0.656, P = 0.0005). In a separate experiment in rats fed diets containing amino acid mixtures simulating the RP, PP and SP diets, serum total cholesterol concentrations were lower than in rats fed simulated casein. Fecal total steroid excretion was the same in all groups. A strong correlation was found between serum cholesterol concentration and dietary methionine concentration (r = 0.743, P = 0.0002) or the methionine:glycine ratio (r = 0.685, P = 0.0009) in rats fed the amino acid mixtures. Finally, we examined the hypocholesterolemic effects of 250 g SP or casein/kg diet with or without supplementation with 0.3 g/100 g sodium taurocholate (TC). Supplementation with TC did not alter the hypocholesterolemic effect of SP. These results support the view that RP, PP and SP lower serum cholesterol concentration in a similar manner.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1997

Significance of early measurement of serum hepatitis C virus RNA in predicting response to interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Interferon can induce complete clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in some patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, various side effects often require cessation of administration during the treatment period. Early prediction of response to interferon would be helpful. We evaluated measurement of serum HCV RNA 2 weeks after starting interferon as a predictor of response. METHODS: The presence of HCV RNA was measured in serum 2 weeks after starting therapy in 85 patients receiving natural interferon a (total 480 MU). RESULTS: Twenty-seven of 38 patients (71.1%) in whom serum HCV RNA had disappeared at 2 weeks achieved a sustained response. Only two out of 47 patients (4.3%) in whom serum HCV RNA had not disappeared at 2 weeks achieved a sustained response. Of 42 patients with pre-treatment HCV RNA concentrations less than 1 x 10(6) eq/ml, 26 of 30 patients (86.7%) whose HCV RNA had disappeared at 2 weeks achieved a sustained response, while only one of 12 patients (8.3%) whose HCV RNA was still detectable at 2 weeks had a sustained response. CONCLUSION: Clearance of serum HCV RNA after 2 weeks of treatment with interferon was more likely in patients with lower pre-treatment HCV RNA concentrations and they had a high likelihood of achieving a sustained response. In patients in whom serum HCV RNA was still detectable after 2 weeks of interferon therapy, a sustained response was most unlikely.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Supplementation of methionine to a low soybean protein diet strikingly increases pancreatic amylase activity in rats.

Feed efficiency in rats fed a low soybean protein isolate (SPI) diet (100 g/kg diet) was dramatically improved with the supplementation of L-methionine (3 g/kg diet). Pancreatic amylase activity was low in rats fed a low SPI diet, and was much higher in the supplemented group than in the non-supplemented group. Pancreatic trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen contents (as activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin) were not changed with the methionine supplementation. In the small intestine, sucrase and leucine aminopeptidase in the jejunum and ileum were not clearly changed. In conclusion, a small amount of methionine supplemented to a low SPI diet especially induced pancreatic amylase among digestive enzymes. The factor involved in nutritional status, not the physiological action of methionine itself, may contribute the induction of amylase.

Amylases↗

PubMed1996

Comparison of serum hepatitis C virus RNA concentration by branched DNA probe assay with competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction as a predictor of response to interferon-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients.

A study was carried out to assess the correlation between the serum concentration of hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV-RNA) in patients with chronic hepatitis, as measured by competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (cRT-PCR) and branched DNA probe assay (bDNA), and response to interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) therapy. The serum HCV-RNA concentration was evaluated by both cRT-PCR and bDNA in 54 patients who had received a total dose of 480 MU of IFN alpha. HCV subtypes were also identified in all patients. The measurement of serum HCV-RNA concentration by bDNA correlated significantly with that of cRT-PCR. The concentration of HCV-RNA in subtype 1 patients was significantly higher than that in subtype 2 patients when measured by bDNA, but not when measured by cRT-PCR. The correlation of HCV-RNA concentration between bDNA and cRT-PCR was associated with both subtypes 1 and 2. The difference in serum HCV-RNA concentration between complete and incomplete responders was more significant when measured by bDNA probe assay than by cRT-PCR. Moreover, only 1 of 26 patients with a HCV-RNA concentration of more than 1 x 10(6) eq/ml as measured by bDNA probe assay attained a complete response, while 19 of 28 patients with that of less than 1 x 10(6) eq/ml achieved it. Measurement of serum HCV-RNA concentration by bDNA probe assay was a better predictor of clinical response of IFN alpha therapy than measurement by cRT-PCR.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Long-term administration of natural interferon-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C: relationship to serum RNA concentration, HCV-RNA genotypes, histological changes and hepatitis C virus.

To virologically assess the efficacy of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C, either 5 or 10 MU/day natural interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) was administered to 57 patients with chronic hepatitis C for 38 weeks. A complete and sustained response (CR-SR), as evidenced by the absence of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA during the administration period and at 6 months after the final administration of IFN alpha and normal GPT level at 6 months after final administration, occurred in 42.6% (23/54) of subjects. Liver tissue was histologically evaluated using the histological activity index (HAI) score before and after the administration period. In CR-SR cases, significant improvements (P < 0.01) occurred in periportal necrosis, intralobular necrosis, portal inflammation and total score. A comparison, by HCV genotypes, revealed that CR-SR occurred in 60% (9/15) of subjects with type 2a and 30.3% (10/33) of subjects with type 1b. A comparison by virus concentration revealed that CR-SR occurred in 71.4% (15/21) of those subjects having a virus concentration of < 10(5) copies/mL, but in only 24.2% (8/33) of those having a virus concentration of > 10(5) copies/mL. Analysis by a multiple logistic model revealed a strong correlation between the therapeutic effect of interferon therapy and the pre-administration virus concentration (P = 0.0061) and genotype (P = 0.0015). These results suggest that the pre-administration virus concentration and genotype are both key factors affecting the therapeutic effect of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C and that the therapeutic effect of interferon is satisfactorily high, irrespective of virus concentration, in subjects with type 2a HCV, but varies depending on virus concentration in subjects with type 1b.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Estimation of usefulness of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate-lipiodol mixture in transcatheter arterial embolization for urgent control of life-threatening massive bleeding from gastric or duodenal ulcer.

We estimated the usefulness of a mixture of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) with lipiodol for transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) used to control massive bleeding from gastric or duodenal ulcer. Thirty patients who had gastric or duodenal ulcers and massive bleeding that was uncontrollable by endoscopic procedures were included in this study. All patients were subjected to TAE (without NBCA in 23 and with NBCA in seven patients). Coils and/or gelfoam were also used. The achievement of haemostasis, occurrence of rebleeding and the time taken for TAE were compared between patients who received TAE without and with NBCA. Eighteen of 23 patients (78.3%) who received TAE without NBCA and six of seven patients (85.7%) who underwent TAE with NBCA achieved complete haemostasis without rebleeding. The time for TAE was significantly shorter in patients who received NBCA compared with those who did not (P = 0.0095). TAE using NBCA or a combination of NBCA and coils achieved a rapid, complete embolization regardless of vascular distribution or arterial diameter. Thus NBCA is considered to be useful as a secondary embolization material in TAE that is urgently conducted to control massive bleeding from gastric or duodenal ulcers.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Polymerization degree of oligomethionine to determine its bioavailability when added to a low-protein diets.

Oligo-L-methionine ethylester (OMOEt) prepared by the papain-catalyzed oligomerization of L-methionine ethylester (MetOEt) is a mixture of pentamer to dodecamer and has nearly the same supplementary effect as free methionine (Met) for the growth of rats when added to a low casein diet, but its supplementary effect to a low-soy protein isolate (SPI) diet is not consistent and depends on the degree of polymerization. Rats were fed for 2 wk with an 8% casein or 10% SPI diet supplemented with 0.3% L-Met, each chemically synthesized MetnOEt with a polymerization degree (n) of 6, 7, 8, or 9, or with OMOEt prepared by papain-catalyzed polymerization of MetOEt. Met6OEt, Met7OEt, and Met8OEt had nearly the same supplementary effect on the growth of rats, as did free Met, both with the 8% casein and 10% SPI diets. The supplementary effect of Met9OEt was not significantly lower than that of Met when added to the 8% casein diet, but was significantly lower when added to the 10% SPI diet. The digestibility of Met9OEt supplemented to the 8% casein and 10% SPI diets was 50.5% and 35.6%, respectively. It appears likely that there is a gap in the bioavailability of oligomethionine between the octamer and nonamer when added to a low-protein diet, probably due to the rigidity of the structure increasing with the polymerization degree by alpha-helix formation. Although the differences in absorption rate of Met from OMOEt for a short time after feeding has been related to the different effects of supplemented OMOEt, the absorption rate of OMOEt for 30 min after feeding was not considered to be the main cause of the differential effects of OMOEt in this experiment.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

A rice protein isolate alters 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene-induced mammary tumor development in female rats.

The effects of a rice protein isolate (RPI) on 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumor progression were investigated in female Sprague-Dawley rats. At 6 weeks of age, rats were fed a casein, RPI or soybean protein isolate (SPI) diet, respectively. After 1 week, DMBA was administered orally at the dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. The mean tumor number per tumor-bearing rat at autopsy was significantly lower only in rats fed RPI than in those fed casein. Palpable tumors at the mid point of the experiment were significantly lower in rats fed RPI and SPI than in those fed casein. Serum estradiol-17 beta concentrations were lower in rats fed the SPI (but not in those fed RPI) than in those fed casein. In a further experiment, no differences were found in hepatic microsomal DMBA-arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity after 7 days of feeding the respective diets. These results suggest that RPI exerts its inhibitory effect on DMBA-induced mammary tumorigenesis irrespective of changes in circulating estrogens or modulation of hepatic DMBA metabolism.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

PubMed1996

Cyclo (LL-dimethionine) is not utilized by rats as a methionine source.

A low casein diet supplemented with 0.2-0.3% L-methionine promotes growth in rats, although it causes liver fat accumulation. Oligo-L-methionine on the other hand, prepared by papain-catalyzed oligomerization of L-methionine ethylester, stimulates growth in rats without causing liver fat accumulation, when added to a 8% casein diet. Oligo-L-methionine is a mixture of oligomers, with a oligomerization degree of 5 to 12, and is hydrolyzed very slowly by pancreatic juice and everted gut rings of rats. A methionine derivative, cyclo (LL-dimethionine), was examined in this study as it is hydrolyzed and/or absorbed very slowly from the intestinal tract and it was expected to be utilized as a methionine source without causing liver fat accumulation, when added to a low casein diet. It consists of two methionine residues linked together by two cis-peptide bonds and, therefore, is expected to be hydrolyzed and/or absorbed very slowly from intestinal tract. However, although cyclo (LL-dimethionine) was absorbed slowly from the intestinal tract, it was not utilized by rats as a methionine source, when added to 8% casein.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Upregulation of apolipoprotein A-IV gene expression in residual ileum after massive small bowel resection requires the biliary secretion in rats.

Small bowel resection results in adaptation of residual intestine, but little is known about the postresectional response of apolipoproteins synthesized mainly in the small intestine. We have investigated the postresectional response of apolipoprotein A-1 and A-IV gene expression in residual ileum and assessed the mechanism of response, particularly the role of biliary secretion. Time course of changes in apolipoprotein A-1 and A-IV mRNA levels was examined by Northern blotting in the residual terminal ileum for 24 hr after 85% jejunoileal resection in fasted rats. Localization of these mRNAs was studied using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Effect of biliary diversion on the postresectional response of mRNAs and proteins was estimated by Northern blotting and immunoblotting, respectively. Apolipoprotein A-IV mRNA began increasing at 1 hr postresection, achieved a maximum by 12 hr (5-fold increase) and remained stable to 24 hr, while apolipoprotein A-1 mRNA did not change. Apolipoprotein A-IV mRNA accumulated predominantly in the upper part of ileal villi and increased its intensity postresection, and apolipoprotein A-1 mRNA was detected in the villus base to tip. The postresectional increase in apolipoprotein A-IV MRNA and protein was completely abolished by concurrent biliary diversion. The results suggest that the enterocytes in the ileal villi rapidly adapt to massive small bowel resection by increase in apolipoprotein A-IV gene expression which is mediated by biliary constituents but not luminal nutrients.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

[The clinical evaluation of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer employing an implanted port system].

Between 1986 and 1994, 66 patients with unresectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer were treated by repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy employing an implantable port system. In this study, 44 patients who received intermittent hepatic arterial infusion of high dose 5-FU (1000mg/m2) were analysed according to a response rate, survival rates, developments of extrahepatic lesions, periods of hepatic arterial infusion, and the rates at home. Two cases (4.5%) achieved a complete response (CR) and 27 cases (61.4%) a partial response (PR). The overall one-year and two-year survival rates were 56.7% and 37.8% respectively. The 50% survival time for all patients was 17.2 months. During the course of observation, extrahepatic lesions developed in 16 of the 39 patients (41.0%) and many responders died due to deterioration of extrahepatic lesions. The over all rates at home were more than 85%. Hepatic arterial infusion of the 5-FU at 1000mg/m2 every week showed a high response rate in colorectal cancer patients with hepatic metastases, and the responders showed a low rate of death due to the hepatic metastases. However, in many patients the prognosis-determining-factor was extrahepatic lesions. Thus, countermeasures were necessary for extrahepatic lesions.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Effect of daily administration period of natural alpha-interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

OBJECTIVE: A randomized, controlled trial was performed to study the effect of the period of daily administration of interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients were administered a total dose of 480 MU of natural alpha-interferon, 6 MU each day. In 32 cases, interferon was given daily for 2 wk, followed by intermittent administration (three times a week) for 22 wk. The other 31 patients received daily administration for 8 wk, followed by intermittent administration (twice a week) for 12 wk. The responses were based on the normalization of ALT and the clearance of hepatitis C virus. RESULTS: Although ALT normalized in 37 patients during the administration of interferon, it relapsed after the end of interferon therapy in 20 patients. The other 17 patients achieved sustained normalization of ALT and clearance of hepatitis C virus RNA. Responses did not differ according to the administration period of interferon. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged daily administration did not improve the responses to interferon therapy when the total dose was the same.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1995

Transcatheter arterial embolization for massive bleeding from duodenal ulcers not controlled by endoscopic hemostasis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: We evaluated the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients in whom endoscopic hemostasis of a massively bleeding duodenal ulcer failed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TAE was performed in 11 patients with endoscopically uncontrollable massively bleeding duodenal ulcers, and the results and long-time outcome were studied. Two additional cases of failed endoscopic hemostasis were treated surgically without TAE. The entire group of 13 patients represented 5% of endoscopically treated duodenal ulcers and 0.6% of all cases with upper gastrointestinal bleeding who underwent emergency endoscopy (n = 2073). All but one of these 13 patients had concomitant disease. RESULTS: Arteriograms performed before TAE revealed extravasation of contrast material around the gastroduodenal artery (GDA), the anterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (ASPD), or the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PSPD) in six of 11 cases. We failed to stop the bleeding in one patient, in whom only the common hepatic artery side of the GDA bleeding site was embolized; this patient died. TAE was successful in the other ten patients, in whom the long stretch of the GDA, including the ASPD and PSPD, was embolized around the bleeding site. Two surgically treated patients died within a week. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that TAE may induce hemostasis in 90% of patients with serious concomitant diseases who have endoscopically uncontrollable massive bleeding from duodenal ulcers.

Aged↗

PubMed1995

Apolipoprotein mRNA in liver and intestine of rats is affected by dietary beet fiber or cholestyramine.

Rats were fed a cholesterol-free diet with no added fiber (fiber-free) or with 15 g/100 g beet fiber or 5 g/100 g cholestyramine for 14 d. Final plasma total cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in rats fed beet fiber than in those fed fiber-free or cholestyramine diets. This difference was due mainly to lower HDL cholesterol concentrations. The group fed beet fiber also tended (P < 0.1) to have lower apolipoprotein A-I concentration in plasma. Northern blot analysis revealed that the relative concentrations of jejunal apolipoprotein A-I and A-IV mRNA were the same in all groups, whereas ileal apolipoprotein A-I and A-IV mRNA levels were significantly lower in rats fed beet fiber or cholestyramine than in those fed the fiber-free diet. Hepatic apolipoprotein E mRNA concentrations were the same in all groups, but apolipoprotein A-I mRNA levels were significantly lower in rats fed beet fiber than in those fed the other diets. Apolipoprotein A-IV mRNA tended (P < 0.1) to be lower in rats fed the beet fiber diet. These data suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effect of dietary beet fiber is associated with diminished expression of the hepatic apolipoprotein A-I gene.

Animals↗