膳食GM1对AD小鼠神经节苷脂代谢的调控作用

为探究外源单唾液酸四己糖神经节苷脂（monosialotetrahexosyl ganglioside,GM1）对阿尔兹海默症（Alzheimer''s disease,AD）小鼠内源性神经节苷脂（gangliosides,GLS）代谢的调控作用。采用淀粉样蛋白和人早老蛋白1（APPswe/PSEN1dE9,APP/PS1）双转基因小鼠作为AD 模型,首先利用Morris 水迷宫观测摄食GM1 对APP/PS1 小鼠行为学的影响;进而利用液相色谱-质谱法（liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,LC-MS）分析GM1 对APP/PS1 小鼠脑皮质中GLS 总体水平及各亚类水平的影响,采用多元统计分析探究GLS 分子种变化。最后利用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-qPCR）检测GLS 合成与分解基因的mRNA 表达。结果表明,GM1 能够改善APP/PS1 小鼠的空间学习与记忆能力、提高脑皮质中GLS 总含量、回调APP/PS1 小鼠脑皮质中GLS 各亚类含量。摄食GM1 能够显著上调GLS 合成基因（st3gal5p1、st8sia1、b3galt4、st3gal2 和soat）的mRNA 表达水平,下调GLS 分解基因hexa 的mRNA 表达水平。综上,膳食GM1 可以调控AD 小鼠脑内GLS 的代谢。     

部分水解瓜尔豆胶对阿尔茨海默病小鼠学习记忆能力的作用

为探究部分水解瓜尔豆胶(partially hydrolyzed guar gum, PHGG)对阿尔茨海默病小鼠学习记忆能力的作用,采用PHGG饮食干预APP/PS1小鼠3个月,通过水迷宫和避暗实验评价小鼠学习记忆能力,并观察其脑组织形态学变化及神经元数量;利用免疫印迹实验测定小鼠脑组织中凋亡相关蛋白的表达;同时采用免疫荧光法检测小鼠脑中β淀粉样蛋白和磷酸化Tau蛋白的表达情况。研究结果表明：与模型组相比,PHGG干预明显改善APP/PS1小鼠反应性、皮毛粗糙度和脊柱后凸;PHGG组小鼠进入目标象限的时间、距离和穿越平台的次数,比APP/PS1小鼠分别增加了81.6%、58.0%和171.4%(P<0.05)。PHGG干预显著增加了APP/PS1小鼠大脑皮层和海马区神经元数量,全脑组织中Bcl-2/Bax蛋白表达率比APP/PS1小鼠增加了54.9%(P<0.05);PHGG使得小鼠大脑皮层和海马区β淀粉样蛋白表达量分别降低了32.0%和55.0%(P<0.05),磷酸化Tau蛋白表达量则分别降低了52.3%和62.6%(P<0.01)。同时,PHGG干预显著...     

膳食补充芝麻素对APP/PS1转基因小鼠认知障碍的改善作用及机制

目的:芝麻素是我国重要油料作物芝麻中的木脂素类活性成分,具有抗氧化、抗炎、抗抑郁等多种生理功能。本文旨在研究其对阿尔兹海默症等神经退行性变化中的认知功能障碍的改善作用及潜在机制。方法:选取6月龄APP/PS1转基因小鼠进行膳食补充芝麻素(质量分数0.05%)干预3个月,利用莫里斯水迷宫实验研究小鼠认知功能的变化;通过免疫荧光及免疫组化实验检测小鼠脑部各区域IBA-1及PSD-95蛋白的表达;利用免疫印迹及qRT-PCR技术对相关基因及信号通路蛋白进行检测;结果:芝麻素有效改善了小鼠的认知功能,降低了脑内β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)的聚集,增加了突触相关蛋白PSD-95的表达;同时芝麻素减少了小胶质细胞标志物IBA-1的表达,抑制了脑内神经炎症的发生,减少了APP蛋白的表达并激活AKT/IDE通路。结论:芝麻素改善了APP/PS1转基因小鼠的认知功能障碍。本研究为深入探索芝麻素的神经保护作用及其应用提供了一定的理论基础。     

维生素A缺乏对缺铁性贫血的影响——体内外实验对比研究

目的:研究维生素A缺乏对缺铁性贫血的影响。方法:体内实验将SD大鼠按体重随机分为4组,分别为Fe+维生素A-Ⅰ组、Fe+维生素A-Ⅱ组、Fe+维生素A-Ⅲ组、Fe-维生素A-Ⅳ组。实验动物喂饲8w后处死后取肝脏。体外实验将大鼠原代肝细胞按Seglen法分离后,随机分为严重缺乏组A、边缘性缺乏组B、正常生理组C、治疗剂量组D,分别给予0、0.5、1.0、50μmol/L的全反式视黄酸培养72h。用逆转录—聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR法)检测肝脏的转铁蛋白受体(TFR)mRNA、铁蛋白(Fn)mRNA的表达。结果:体内外实验大鼠维生素A缺乏时,肝脏TFR mRNA表达增强,而Fn mRNA表达下降,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:维生素A缺乏可以使大鼠肝脏TFR mRNA表达增强而Fn mRNA表达下降,而补充维生素A后铁缺乏造成的很多不利影响都显著减轻了。     

火麻仁油及大麻二酚对抑郁模型小鼠行为及炎症反应的影响

目的:探究火麻仁油及大麻二酚（Cannabidiol,CBD）对慢性不可预测的轻度应激（Chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS）模型小鼠行为学及炎症因子的影响。方法:将50只雄性C57BL/6小鼠随机分成5组:空白组、模型组、火麻仁油组（3 mL/kg）、CBD低剂量组（15 mg/kg）、CBD高剂量组（30 mg/kg）,试验周期8周,测定小鼠抑郁、焦虑、学习认知能力及炎症因子（肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1（IL-1β）和诱导NOS（iNos））的mRNA表达及小胶质细胞的离子化的钙结合衔接分子1（IBA-1）的蛋白表达。结果:与空白组相比,模型组在抑郁和焦虑行为及学习和认知功能有显著差异（P<0.05; P <0.01）;与模型组相比,CBD剂量组均显著改善模型小鼠的抑郁焦虑行为并提高了学习认知功能（P<0.05; P<0.01),火麻仁油组显著改善小鼠的蔗糖偏好指数和新物体识别能力（P<0.05）。与空白组相比,模型组小鼠的皮层和海马组织中TNF-α、IL-1β和iNos mRNA表达量显著升高（P<0.05; P<0.01）;与模型组相比,CBD剂量组的皮层和海马TNF-α、IL-1β和iNos mRNA表达量均显著降低（P<0.05; P<0.01）;火麻仁油组皮层、海马TNF-α和iNos无显著性差异（P>0.05)。免疫组化结果显示,火麻仁油和CBD均抑制炎症介质小胶质细胞的离子化的钙结合衔接分子1（IBA-1）的表达。结论:CUMS小鼠建模成功,火麻仁油能够提高小鼠的抑郁行为及认知能力,并且降低IL-1β表达,CBD可改善小鼠的焦虑症状、提升学习和认知功能,抑制脑组织皮层和海马的炎症反应,从而证明火麻仁油和CBD对CUMS模型小鼠具有一定的作用。     

维生素A通过铁调节蛋白2基因表达来影响铁代谢

目的：通过大鼠原代肝细胞培养(体外试验)来研究维生素A通过铁调节蛋白2(IRP-2)来影响铁代谢。方法：将SD大鼠原代分离肝细胞(seglent法),随机分组严重缺乏A、边缘缺乏B、常规组C、预防治疗组D、RO阻抑组E,分别给予0、0.5、1.0、50μmol/L全反式视黄酸和50μmol/L全反式视黄酸+10μmol/L RO(RARα阻断剂)培养4 d。用RT-PCR法测量肝脏的IRP-2 mRNA的情况。结果：大鼠维生素A缺乏时,原代肝细胞表达IPR-2 mRNA水平增强(P<0.05),补充维生素A后,IPR-2 mRNA表达下降,但加入RO后,维生素A这种作用明显减弱了。结论：维生素A作为转录调节剂,可通过结合视黄酸细胞核受体(RARα),改变IRP-2转录水平,改变铁调节稳态,调节机体贫血状态。     

鼠李糖乳酪杆菌对乳鼠肠道发育和阪崎克罗诺杆菌致坏死性肠炎的影响

为研究鼠李糖乳酪杆菌（Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus）SW-02 对乳鼠肠道发育的影响,将新生C57BL/6 小鼠以SW-02（1×107 CFU/d）灌胃,饲养2 周后,检测体质量、脏器指数、肠道组织苏木精-伊红染色、细胞增殖标志基因和紧密连接蛋白的mRNA 水平及免疫球蛋白A（immunoglobulin A,IgA）水平;将新生小鼠分为对照组、阪崎克罗诺杆菌组（CS 组）、SW-02 干预组（CS+SW-02 组）,饲养至第10 天,检测体质量、肠道组织苏木精-伊红染色、细胞增殖标志基因和紧密连接蛋白的mRNA 水平及炎症因子水平,研究SW-02 对阪崎克罗诺杆菌致坏死性小肠结肠炎的影响。结果显示,鼠李糖乳酪杆菌SW-02 能够促进乳鼠早期的生长,促进机体肠道发育和免疫功能,还可以有效改善阪崎克罗诺杆菌对乳鼠肠道造成的损伤,降低炎症。     

不同乳杆菌缓解慢性酒精性肝损伤的作用比较

该文探究不同乳杆菌对小鼠慢性酒精性肝损伤的缓解作用。利用C57BL/6小鼠,随机分为空白对照组、酒精模型组、阳性对照组和乳杆菌干预组。8周后,通过分析小鼠的血清转氨酶活性、肝脏氧化指标、血清内毒素含量、肝脏炎症因子表达、肠道紧密连接蛋白表达水平等,并进行肝组织病理学观察,从而比较不同乳杆菌对慢性酒精性肝损伤的缓解作用。结果表明,所选乳杆菌均能够一定程度地改善慢性酒精引起的小鼠肝损伤。其中,植物乳杆菌LP45(Lactobacillus plantarum 45,LP45)和鼠李糖乳杆菌L519(Lactobacillus rhamnosus 519,L519)效果最为显著。植物乳杆菌LP45和鼠李糖乳杆菌L519显著降低了慢性酒精引起的肝脏脂肪积累和氧化应激,抑制了血液中转氨酶和内毒素的增加,降低了肝脏中炎症因子的升高,并改善了肠道紧密连接蛋白表达的降低。因此,所选乳杆菌中,植物乳杆菌LP45和鼠李糖乳杆菌L519可以通过改善氧化应激和增强肠道屏障功能从而有效缓解小鼠慢性酒精性肝损伤。     

联合补充维生素D、胶原肽和钙对成骨细胞发育的影响

目的:观察联合补充维生素D、胶原肽和钙对MC3T3-E1成骨细胞增殖及对骨保护素细胞内核因子κB受体活化因子配体(receptor activator of NF-κB ligand,RANKL)、骨保护素(Osteoprotegerin,OPG)基因表达的影响。方法:α-MEM培养基培养MC3T3-E1细胞。检测Ca~(2+)(20μg/m L)、维生素D(0、10-12、10-11mol/L)、胶原肽(0、50、100μg/m L)三者交互作用剂量对MC3T3-E1细胞增殖的作用及RANKL、OPG mRNA表达。结果:维生素D、胶原肽和钙交互剂量作用下细胞增殖水平无明显差异。维生素D联合钙能够明显降低RANKL mRNA表达水平,提高OPG mRNA表达水平,降低RANKL/OPG比值。而胶原肽联合钙对RANKL以及OPG mRNA表达无明显影响。结论:维生素D联合钙可通过抑制小鼠成骨细胞RANKL mRNA表达、促进OPG mRNA表达,从而促进骨的形成,抑制骨的吸收。维生素D和钙联合补充胶原肽,对成骨细胞RANKL,OPG mRNA表达并无明显影响。     

牛磺酸对高胆固醇血症小鼠胆固醇/胆汁酸吸收与排出的影响

为探讨牛磺酸对高胆固醇血症小鼠胆固醇/胆汁酸代谢的影响,本文以10周龄雄性C57BL/6小鼠为实验对象,根据体重和血清胆固醇水平随机分为6组,对照组(N)、高胆固醇膳食组(C)、高胆固醇/胆盐膳食组(CB)以及分别与这三组相对应的牛磺酸添加组(NT、CT、CBT).给与各组相应膳食1周后,测定血清和肝脏胆固醇含量,粪胆汁酸和中性固醇含量,以及胆固醇/胆汁酸稳态相关因子肝脏ABCG5/ABCG8、BSEP,空肠ABCG5/ABCG8,回肠BABP、BAT mRNA表达.结果显示:分别与C、CB组相比较,CT、CBT组小鼠血清和肝脏胆固醇显著降低(P<0.05)、粪胆汁酸量明显增加(P<0.05)、粪中性固醇量无显著变化;与N组相比较,C/CT/CB/CBT四组小鼠肝脏ABCG5/ABCG8、BSEP,空肠ABCC5/ABCG8 mRNA表达增加,但四组问无显著差异;与N组相比较,C/CT/CB/CBT四组小鼠回肠BATmRNA表达明显减少,CT组比C组进一步降低.以上结果提示,牛磺酸增加了高胆固醇血症小鼠粪胆汁酸的排出,并不影响粪中性固醇的排出,并且在无外源性胆盐的条件下显示抑制回肠BAT mRNA表达的倾向.     

Apolipoprotein E genotype and alpha-tocopherol modulate amyloid precursor protein metabolism and cell cycle regulation

Apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) genotype is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is thought to be in part attributable to an impact of apoE genotype on the processing of the transmembrane amyloid precursor protein (APP) thereby contributing to amyloid beta peptide formation in apoE4 carriers, which is a primary patho-physiological feature of AD. As apoE and alpha-tocopherol (alpha-toc) have been shown to modulate membrane bilayer properties and hippocampal gene expression, we studied the effect of apoE genotype on APP metabolism and cell cycle regulation in response to dietary alpha-toc. ApoE3 and apoE4 transgenic mice were fed a diet low (VE) or high (+VE) in vitamin E (3 and 235 mg alpha-toc/kg diet, respectively) for 12 weeks. Cholesterol levels and membrane fluidity were not different in synaptosomal plasma membranes isolated from brains of apoE3 and apoE4 mice (-VE and +VE). Non-amyloidogenic alpha-secretase mRNA concentration and activity were significantly higher in brains of apoE3 relative to apoE4 mice irrespective of the dietary alpha-toc supply, while amyloidogenic beta-secretase and gamma-secretase remained unchanged. Relative mRNA concentration of cell cycle related proteins were modulated differentially by dietary alpha-toc supplementation in apoE3 and apoE4 mice, suggesting genotype-dependent signalling effects on cell cycle regulation.     

甘草甜素调节U14宫颈癌小鼠免疫功能及诱导凋亡的作用

为探讨甘草甜素调节U14 宫颈癌小鼠免疫功能及诱导凋亡作用,将U14宫颈癌小鼠随机分为模型组、甘草甜素低、中、高剂量组（25、50、100 mg/kg）及环磷酰胺组（25 mg/kg）,另设正常组,每组10只;灌胃给药,1次/d,共21 d。测量各组小鼠瘤体积（最大直径）、瘤质量,计算胸腺指数、脾脏指数,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡指数,实时定量PCR法检测Caspase-3、Bax及Bcl-2 mRNA表达,Western Blot法检测p-PI3K、p-AKT蛋白表达等指标。结果发现,与模型组比较,甘草甜素低、中、高剂量组小鼠瘤体积（最大直径）及瘤质量显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）,抑瘤率分别为15.68%、25.41%和38.38%;与模型组比较,甘草甜素低、中、高剂量组小鼠胸腺指数、脾脏指数、IL-2、IFN-γ、TNF-α含量、凋亡指数、Caspase-3及Bax mRNA表达显著增加（P<0.05或P<0.01）,而Bcl-2 mRNA及p-PI3K、p-AKT蛋白表达显著降低（P<0.05或P<0.01）。上述结果表明,甘草甜素具有抑制U14宫颈癌小鼠肿瘤生长的作用,该作用与改善免疫功能及诱导凋亡作用有关。     

TG-DHA高含量脱腥鱼油对脂代谢的调节作用

目的:探究TG-DHA高含量脱腥鱼油的制备及对高脂饮食小鼠脂代谢的调节作用。方法:脂质体包埋技术制备TG-DHA高含量脱腥鱼油。将雄性C57BL/6J小鼠（6周龄）随机分为对照组（C）、模型组（M）、TG-DHA高含量鱼油组（O-DHA）、TG-DHA高含量脱腥鱼油组（L-DHA）。连续灌胃8周后,检测小鼠血清、肝脏脂质水平;测定肝脏脂代谢相关基因脂肪酸合成酶（Fatty acid synthase,FAS）、固醇调节元件结合蛋白1c （Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c,SREBP-1c）、肉碱棕榈酰转移酶1（Carnitine palmitoyl transferase,CPT1）、脂蛋白脂酶（Lipoprotein lipase,LPL） mRNA表达量。结果:脂质体包埋掩盖了己醛、2,4-庚二烯醛等鱼油中的腥味物质。TG-DHA高含量脱腥鱼油中的DHA含量为73.74%,粒径为159.50 nm,Zeta电位为-43.10 mV,稳定性良好,且在动物体内易于被消化吸收。L-DHA可显著改善高脂饮食小鼠血清和肝脏脂质水平（P<0.05）,O-DHA可显著改善高脂饮食小鼠血清水平和肝脏中的TG含量（P<0.05）,二者均能极显著降低FAS mRNA表达（P<0.01）,显著上调CPT1 mRNA表达（P<0.05）,且L-DHA效果更好。结论:TG-DHA高含量脱腥鱼油可改善高脂饮食导致的脂代谢紊乱,其机制与下调肝脏脂肪酸合成,促进脂肪酸分解代谢有关。     

桂附汤对慢性不可预见性温和应激小鼠抑郁样行为及海马脑源性神经营养因子表达的影响

目的 研究桂附汤对慢性不可预见性温和应激（chronic unpredictive mild stress，CUMS）小鼠抑郁模型的干预作用。 方法 利用CUMS法诱导C57BL/6小鼠抑郁模型，通过蔗糖偏好实验、旷场实验、悬尾实验观察桂附汤对小鼠抑郁样行为的影响，实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（Real-time PCR）检测小鼠海马组织脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）mRNA 表达，免疫组化法（immunohistochemistry，IHC）检测小鼠海马区BDNF蛋白定位表达，苏木素-伊红（HE）染色观察海马组织形态学的变化。 结果 与对照组相比，模型组体质量下降，肾上腺指数升高，糖水偏好度显著降低，旷场实验总静止时间显著升高、进入中央区域次数显著降低，BDNF蛋白表达和mRNA水平显著降低；与模型组相比，桂附汤干预组肾上腺指数显著降低，糖水偏好度显著增加，旷场实验总静止时间显著降低、进入中央区域的次数显著增加，悬尾实验静止时间显著降低，海马BDNF mRNA及蛋白表达都显著增加，海马组织病理损伤明显改善。结论 桂附汤可改善CUMS诱导的小鼠抑郁样行为，上调BDNF表达，保护海马神经元的结构和功能。     

Cytogenetic damage in preimplantation mouse embryos generated after paternal and parental gamma-irradiation and the influence of vitamin C

Cytogenetic damage expressed as micronuclei (MN) in 4-8-cell embryos generated after irradiation of male or male and female mice in the absence and presence of vitamin C was investigated. Male NMRI mice were whole body exposed to 4 Gy gamma-rays and mated with non-irradiated superovulated female mice in 6 successive weeks after irradiation in a weekly interval. In experiments involving irradiation of both male and female mice, irradiated male mice for 6 weeks post irradiation were mated with female mice irradiated after induction of superovulation. Effect of 100 mg/kg vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on the frequency of MN was also studied. Pregnant animals were euthanized and embryos flushed from the oviducts and fixed on slides. The rate of MN observed in embryos generated from irradiated male compared with control group dramatically increased (P<0.01). Frequency of MN in this group decreased dramatically after vitamin C treatment (P<0.01). Frequency of MN in embryos generated by mating both male and female irradiated mice was higher than that observed for those embryos generated by irradiated male mice alone. However, a considerable modifying effect of vitamin C was observed for this group too (P<0.05). Results indicate that irradiation of gonads during spermatogenesis and preovulatory stage oocytes may lead to unstable chromosomal aberrations and probably stable chromosomal abnormalities affecting pairing and disjunction of chromosomes in successive preimplantation embryos expressed as MN. The way vitamin C reduces clastogenic effects of radiation on germ cells leading to reduced frequency of MN in pre-embryos might be due to its antioxidation and radical scavenging properties.     

辣木多肽对D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠抗氧化功能的影响

探讨辣木多肽(MOPP)对D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠抗氧化能力的影响。小鼠腹腔注射D-半乳糖(120mg/kg)建立衰老模型。建模成功后,分设正常组,D-半乳糖衰老组,维生素C组,MOPP低剂量(10 mg/kg)和高剂量(100 mg/kg)组。连续给药6周后,依试剂盒说明分别测定血清总抗氧化力(T-AOC),脑、心脏和肝脏及血清中超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD),过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT),谷胱甘肽过氧化酶(glutathioneperoxidase,GSH-Px)和丙二醛(malondiadehycle,MDA)水平。q RT-PCR法测定肝内Mn-SOD、Gu/Zn-SOD和CAT的m RNA表达。与衰老对照组相比,MOPP能分别有效提高衰老小鼠血清T-AOC能力(至13.73～17.98U/m L),及血清SOD(8.04～11.65 U/mg protein)、CAT(4.56～6.45 U/mg protein)和GSH-Px(7.28～10.65 U/mg protein)活性,并显著提升脑、心脏及肝组织中抗氧化物酶(SOD、CAT、GSH-Px)活力(p0.05)。同时,高浓度MOPP还能使血清、脑、心脏和肝组织中MDA水平显著降低43.6%,44.7%,31.4%和56.0%(p0.05)。此外,MOPP干预还能增强肝脏中SOD、CAT和GSH-Px的m RNA转录。本研究结果提示MOPP能明显提高D-半乳糖致老龄小鼠体内的抗氧化状态。     

Vitamin D3 regulation of body fat,cytokines, and calpain gene expression

BACKGROUND: We conducted an in vivo experiment to determine whether vitamin D₃ acts as a fat synthesizer and/or meat tenderizer in mice. At 6 weeks of age, 20 male C57BL/6 wild‐type mice were randomly divided into two groups (10 mice per group) and fed a modified AIN93G diet with (vitamin D₃ diet) or without (basal diet) 10 IU 25‐OH‐cholecalciferol kg^?3 for 3 weeks. RESULTS: When vitamin D₃ was fed to mice for 3 weeks, body fat was significantly increased compared to mice fed a basal diet. There was, however, no difference in body weight between the two groups. Vitamin D₃ increased the gene expressions of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, but decreased interleukin‐15 in adipose tissue through nuclear vitamin D receptor and uncoupling protein‐2 signals. The muscle inducible nitrate oxide synthase content of mice fed vitamin D₃ was higher than those fed a basal diet, while muscle arginase l showed a reverse phenomenon. longissimuss dorsi muscle of vitamin D₃‐fed mice showed more severe fat deposition than those fed a basal diet. Vitamin D₃ amplified muscle u‐ and m‐calpain protein content and suppressed muscle calpastatin protein content. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that vitamin D₃ can be used as a fat synthesizer and meat tenderizer in meat‐producing animals. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Salicornia Extract Ameliorates Salt‐Induced Aggravation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet

High‐fat and high‐salt intakes are among the major risks of chronic diseases including obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Salicornia is a halophytic plant known to exert antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic effects, and Salicornia‐extracted salt (SS) has been used as a salt substitute. In this study, the effects of SS and purified salt (PS) on the aggravation of NAFLD/NASH were compared. C57BL/6J male mice (8‐wk‐old) were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 6 mo and divided into 3 dietary groups, which were additionally fed HFD, HFD + SS, and HFD + PS for 13 wk. PS induced aggravation of NAFLD/NASH in HFD‐fed mice. Although the actual salt intake was same between the PS and SS groups as 1% of the diet (extrapolated from the World Health Organization [WHO] guideline), SS induced less liver injury and hepatic steatosis compared to PS. The hepatic mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis marker were significantly lower in the SS group than the PS group. Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of inflammation in NAFLD/NASH. Results of the component analysis showed that the major polyphenols that exhibited antioxidant activity in the Salicornia water extract were ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and isorhamnetin. These results suggest that even the level of salt intake recommended by WHO can accelerate the progression of liver disease in obese individuals consuming HFD. It is proposed that SS can be a salt substitute for obese individuals who consume HFD.     

A Quarter of a Century of Progress to Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency Through Supplementation

A quarter of century has passed since FRI published its first comprehensive review on vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and its prevention. At the time, the major impetus to prevent VAD was to reduce xerophthalmia in preschool children. Today, we have a broader understanding of the public health implications of VAD, with disorders including xerophthalmia, mortality, severe infection, and anemia in preschool children and pregnant women. While deficiency affects most developing countries, nearly half of all deficient children and women live in Southern Asia. Prevention has made substantial strides. High potency vitamin A supplementation (with 200,000 IU) remains a prophylactic mainstay, delivered through fixed facilities, enhanced outreach activities, and national child health day campaigns twice annually. Surprisingly, the costs of semi-annual delivery of vitamin A have changed little over the years, with new cost estimates remaining comparable to earlier figures of US ～$0.50 per child per year. Emerging is the potential to reduce infant mortality by ～20% in Southern Asia by giving a single, oral, 50,000 IU dose of vitamin A to newborns. While ～500 million vitamin A capsules are routinely distributed worldwide each year to achieve effective control, progress has been slower with efforts to improve diet on a purposeful global public health scale. Future advances through effective dietary diversification and various means of food fortification will be required before periodic supplementation can be phased down as a major population strategy for controlling vitamin A deficiency.