Objective: To study the protective effect of glutamine on intestine in mice damaged by radiation. Methods: Mice were exposed to 137 Cs rays (dose of 4Gy) with the whole body. The protetive effects of glutamine on intestine radiational damages were studied. Result: After radiation, GSH contents, SOD activities, protein and DNA contents were decreased and MDA contents were increased in intestinal mucosa. Villus height was shortened, crypt depth was deepened, wall width and villus surface area were decreased. Glutamine supplement restrained the changes of indices above mentioned and made them close to normal levels. Conclusion: Glutamine supplement had the protective effect on radiation damage in mice.

Objective To study the effect of muskmelon juice on immune function of aged mice induced by D-galactose. Method Fifty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups:normal control,aged model and three muskmelon juice (quadruple-diluted,double-diluted and stock juice) groups. The mice in aged model and three muskmelon juice groups were injected subcutaneously with D-galactose at dose of 200 mg/kg?d ,and the normal control with the normal saline of equal volume. The mice in three muskmelon juice groups were treated by intragastric administration twice daily with quadruple-diluted solution,double-diluted solution and stock liquid of muskmelon juice respectively,and the mice in normal control and aged model group with distilled water. Four weeks later,spleen and thymus were weighted,and the immunoglobulim and complement in serum were estimated. Results The thymus index of mice in aged model groop was much lower as compared with normal control. After administration with muskmelon juice,the thymus index was increased and the difference between stock juice and aged model group was significant. As compared with normal control,the serum IgG,IgM,C3,C4 contents of aged model were significantly lowered,but those in muskmelon juice group was increased. The IgG,C3,C4 contents of double-diluted and stock juice group were significantly higher than those of aged model. The spleen index and serum IgA contents fluctuated with same tendency. Conclusion Muskmelon juice can relieve the regression of immune organs in aging process and improve the immune function,suggesting to be effective in anti-aging process.

Objective To study the radiation-protective effects produced by the estrogenic activities of genistein(Gen) for providing experimental basis to develop the food for radiation protection. Method After blocking estrogen receptor (ER) activities by Tamoxifen and Faslodex,the effects of Gen on peripheral leucocytes and lymphocyte counts,serum haemolysin and delayed type of hypersensitivity of the mice were examined after exposure to 4 Gy ? radiation. Results Gen was shown to inhibit the decrease of peripheral leucocytes and lymphocyte counts and the decreased immune response of the ?-irradiated mice. Faslodex (ER? blocker) + Gen eliminated the protective effect of Gen and still caused the similar effects in hematological response and immune response after irradiation. Tamoxifen (ER? blocker) did not have these effects. Conclusion Gen can enhance the immune function in irradiated mice through activation of estrogen receptor ? pathway.

Objectives To study the radiation-protective effects produced by the estrogenic activities of genistein(Gen) .Method After blocking estrogen receptor activities by Tamoxifen and Faslodex,the effects of Gen on 30d survival rate and average life span of the mice were monitored after exposure to lethal dose ? radiation(7.5Gy),and the effects of Gen on innate(nonspecific) immune response as well as humoral(B-cell mediated)immune response of the mice were examined after exposure to 4.0Gy ? radiation.Results Gen can enhance the survival rate,average life span,and immune response of the ?-radiation exposed mice.While Tamoxifen had no significant effects on survival rate and immune response of the exposed mice,Faslodex caused a decrease in survival rate and average life span and also inhibited the immune response in those exposed mice.Conclusion Genistein can enhance the radiation tolerance in mice through activation of estrogen receptor ? pathway.

Objective: To observe the effects of nutrients-compound supplementation (NS) on cognitive function. Method: Forty six young male volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups, NS and control (CT). NS group was supplemented with nutrients-compound while CT group received placebo for 60 d.The cognitive function of all volunteers were examined by 《CHANG-AN Handbook of Group Intelligence Test》 and Wechsler Memory Scale(WMS). Their vitamin status was assessed by 4-h load test at the end of experiment. Results : The vitamin nutriture of NS group was significantly better than that of CT. Many achievements of cognitive test of NS group were obviously increased compared to that before supplementation or that of CT. The visual responding time was shortened in 3 tests and the error number was decreased in 1 test of NS group, while no significant change was observed in CT group. Conclusion: Supplementation with the nutrients-compound is beneficial to improvement of cognitive function such as learning, memory and understanding.

Objective: To investigate the effects of genistein (Gen) on bone turnover in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Forty-seven Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups: sham-operated (sham), ovarietomized (ovx), ovarietomized plus diethyl stilbestrol [E, 20?g/(kg bw?d)] or Gen [25、50、100 mg/(kg bw?d)] administration. After the rats had been fed for 3 mo,bone mineral density (BMD), histomorphometric parameters, the serum concentration of osteocalcin (BGP) and urinary contents of pyridine and hydroxyproline (HYPRO) were analysed. Results: BMD, trabecular bone volume (TBV) and mean trabecular plate density (MTPD) of ovariectomized rats were significantly decreased, but serum concentrations of BGP,urinary contents of deoxypyridinoline and HYPRO and mean trabecular plate space (MTPS) increased compared with the sham. After 3 mo of Gen supplementation, TBV,MTPD and urinary deoxypyridinoline were improved significantly in ovariectomized rats. Conclusion: Genistein reduced bone loss in ovariecromized rats by suppressing bone metabolism and osteoclast activity.

BACKGROUND: Genistein is the main component of phytoestrogen soy isoflavone and its structure is similar to estrogen,which suggests that it might prevent or delay osteoporosis. Research on the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and calcium(Ca), phosphor(P), zinc(Zn) and magnesium (Mg) in ovariectomized rats are rare.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of genistein on bone mineralization and Ca,P,Zn and Mg in ovariectomized rats to provide a theoretical gist for the prevention of osteoporosis by genistein.DESIGN: A controlled experiment based on experimental animals.SETTING: Department of Nutrition,General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The study was conducted in the Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine,Academy of Military Medical Sciences of PLA between February and June 2003. Ten-week old female Wistar rats [certification number: (military medical animal): D98014] with a body mass of(170±20) g were selected.INTERVENTIONS: Experimental animals were fed with normal feeding for 6 weeks and then the feeding was changed to AIN-93 compound. Animals were then randomly divided into ovariectomized group (n=40) and sham-operation group(n=7) based on bodyweight after 5 days. Ovariectomized group received ovariectomy and sham-operation group only received abdominal incision. After 5 days of recovery,the ovariectomized group was further randomly divided into 5 subgroups with 8 rats each including ovariectomized control subgroup,estrogen subgroup [diethylstilbestrol 20 μg/(kg · d)],genistein Ⅰ,Ⅱ,or Ⅲ subgroup[dose of 25,50 or 100 mg/(kg · d)]. After 3months of feeding,6 rats were randomly selected from each group for the detection of bone density and corresponding bone hismorphometric indicators.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bone density,corresponding parameters of bone mineralization,Ca,P,Zn and Mg contents in bone of mice in each group RESULTS: After ovariectomy,femoral bone density decreased [(0. 247± 0.007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width increased[(7. 04 ±0. 32)μm],bone mineralization delayed [(4.96±0.99) days],osteoid maturity prolonged [(26.99±7.70) days],and Ca[ (251.11± 5.31) mg/g],P[(115.08± 3.78) mg/g],Zn[ (299.69±37.1)μg/g] and Mg[(4. 32±0. 12) μg/g]were all significantly different from that of sham-operation group(P<0.05).After the application of genistein,femoral bone density had a tendency of improvement[ (0. 250±0. 007) g/cm2],mean osteoid width narrowed[ (4. 97±0.77) μm],bone mineralization delayed time[ (3.18±0.69) days] and osteoid maturity time[(14.53 ±3.84) days] shortened, contents of Ca [(270.00±5.65) mg/g],P[(124.25±2.37) mg/g] andMg[(4.61±0. 08) μg/g]elevated while Zn content had no significant changes.CONCLUSION: Genistein promotes osteoid mineralization,reduces the loss of Ca, P and Mg in the bone and prevent the generation of osteoporosis in unsexed rats

To study the effect of soybean isoflavones(SI) on thymocytes in irradiated mice. Method: Ninety male mice were randomly divided into control group, irradiated group, irradiated plus 0.5% dose SI group. After 2w feeding, the mice received 4.0 Gy 137Cs ?-radiation. The cell cycles,cell apoptosis and proliferation of thymocytes and thymus index were observed in irradiated mice after 12h, 24h, 1w and 2w. Results: After the mice were irradiated, the thymus became significantly atrophic, and the rate of cell apoptos and the cell cycles of G0-G1 phase in thymocytes were significantly increased (P