No abstract available.
Amylases* ; Child* ; Humans

Background: One of the therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes mellitus involves suppressing postprandial hyperglycemia by inhibiting key enzymes in carbohydrate digestion, α-glucosidase and α-amylase. While such inhibitors are commercially available, some researchers have turned to plants for potentially cheaper and safer alternatives. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the in vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities of the leaf methanolic extracts of two native Philippine plants Ficus nota Blanco Merr. and Ficus septica Burm F, as well as their effects on postprandial blood glucose levels in a mouse model. Methodology: The in vitro activities of the leaf methanolic extracts were evaluated against porcine pancreatic α-amylase and yeast αglucosidase. The most active extract was partially purified into fractions by sequential solvent partitioning and subjected to in vitro testing. Postprandial antihyperglycemic activity was then assessed in normoglycemic ICR mice. Phytochemical analysis was also performed Results: The most active extract and fraction in vitro were FS-crude and FS-HexF, respectively, having significantly more potent αglucosidase inhibitory activity than the commercial drug acarbose. FS-crude and FS-HexF exhibited strong inhibition of αglucosidase and weak inhibition of α-amylase, which is considered favorable for novel inhibitors as it is hypothesized to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects. However, FS-crude and FS-HexF did not significantly attenuate postprandial blood glucose levels in the oral starch tolerance test. Phytochemical analysis of FS-HexF putatively identified 6-gingerol as one of the possible bioactive components. Conclusion F. septica could be a potential source of glycoside inhibitors as it showed promising in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. While it did not exhibit significant postprandial antihyperglycemic activity in this study, more robust testing is recommended to make a definitive conclusion.
Amylases ; Glucosidases ; Hypoglycemic Agents

No abstract available.
Amylases* ; Child* ; Encephalitis, Arbovirus* ; Humans

Mycoflora was assessed in the commercial meju from four well-separated geographic origins. A total of 112 fungal isolates were identified by phenotypic characteristics and molecular taxonomy using sequencing the internal transcribed spacer of the rDNA and revealed 19 species from 13 genera. Enzymatic characteristics of protease and amylase, and mycotoxin production were analyzed.
Amylases ; Classification ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Soybeans*

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to understand the characteristics of salivary ALPHA-amylase reactivity (sAA), as a biological maker of stress, by viewing negative affective pictures. METHODS: Forty six normal healthy subjects participated in this study. Prior to the experiment, the participants completed baseline psychological assessment including trait-dependent anxiety scales. On experiment, saliva samples were collected one time before and three times after exposure to 5-min stressor consisting 20 negative affective pictures. The state-related scales were measured before and just after exposure to stressor to assess the subjects' state anxiety. RESULTS: Overall, sAA was significantly decreased over time with the increase of negative affect score and state-anxiety. The Anxiety Scale Inventory scores were negatively correlated with the baseline as well as the other following sAA levels (all ps<.05) while the scores of the state-related scales were related not with the baselin but with the other followings. The baseline level of sAA was significantly lower in the higher susceptible group (change of Negative Affect score > or =2, N=19) than in the lower counterpart (<2, N=27) in comparison between them (mean:46.6 vs. 76.5 U/mL, p=.024). After the exposure, the means of sAA levels significantly decreased over time in the lower susceptible group, whereas did not in the higher one (mean:-1.7 vs. -23.0 U/mL, p=.031). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the baseline level of sAA and its reactivity depend on individual trait of anxiety as well as state of reactivity to affective stress.
alpha-Amylases ; Anxiety ; Biomarkers ; Saliva ; Weights and Measures

Hyperlipidemia can be a cause of acute pancreatitis. For example, dyslipidemia classified Fredrickson/WHO classification type I, V can induce acute pancreatitis spontaneously. Secondary hyperlipidemia (DM, alcohol, estrogen, etc.) also can induce acute pancreatitis. High serum amylase level and triglyceride level are hall markers of diagnosis. But lactescent serum interferes with accurate laboratory analysis of amylase. Serum amylase was normal or low in 50% of cases. Clinical course and treatment are similar with other causes of acute pancreatitis. Lipoprotein electrophoresis helps classify dyslipidemia by Fredrickson/WHO classification. In some cases, to prevent hyperlipidemic pancreatitis, serum triglyceride should be lower than 500 mg/dl. We report two cases of acute pancreatitis caused by dyslipidemia.
Amylases ; Dyslipidemias ; Electrophoresis ; Estrogens ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipoproteins ; Pancreatitis

Enzyme activities of Cenococcum geophilum isolates were examined on enzyme-specific solid media. Deoxyribonuclease, phosphatase, and urease were detected in all isolates, whereas cellulase was not detected in any of the isolates. Variations in enzyme activities of amylase, caseinolysis, gelatinase, lipase, and ribonuclease were observed among isolates.
Amylases ; Cellulase ; Gelatinases ; Lipase ; Ribonucleases ; Urease

Aims: The study aimed to investigate the effect of glucose on alpha-amylase and glucoamylase production in some Indonesian indigenous fungi. Methodology and results: Fungi were screened for their ability to produce alpha-amylase and glucoamylase in the presence of glucose. The strains were grown in a medium containing starch and glucose as carbon sources with glucose concentrations varying from 0 to 5% for four days, and the alpha-amylase and glucoamylase were analyzed at the end of the growth period. Most strains showed repression on the amylases production when glucose was added to the medium. However, some strains showed no repression on amylases production when glucose was supplemented to the medium. The addition of glucose repressed glucoamylase production, but no repression on alpha-amylase was noted for strain KKB4, vice versa, there was repression on alpha-amylase production but no repression on glucoamylase production for strain FIG1. Strains FNCC 6151 and MLT1J1 showed no repression on both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase production when glucose was added to the medium up to 5%. The occurrence of repression in the production of alpha-amylase and glucoamylase was strain-specific. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Out of the nine indigenous fungi strains examined, strains FNCC 6151 and MLT1J1 showed no repression on both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase production when glucose was added to the medium up to 5%. Those two strains have the potential to be improved further to produce both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase.
Glucosidases ; alpha-Amylases ; Glucan 1,4-alpha-Glucosidase

The aim of this study was to compare nutrient intakes, serum hormones (leptin, adiponectin, insulin), salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase of middle-aged women by the percentage of body fat (% fat). Subjects were assigned to 3 groups by body fat (%) group I (27.5%), group II (32.5%), group III (37.7%). WHR of group II (0.97) was significantly higher than of group I, III (0.95) (p < 0.05). Nutrient intakes were not different among 3 groups. Serum leptin levels of group III (16.53 microgram/ml) were higher than in group I (10.07 microgram/ml), group II (12.24 microgram/ml) (p < 0.05). Salivary cortisol levels of group II (0.39 microgram/dl) were higher than in group I (0.17 microgram/dl) and group III (0.15 microgram/dl) (p < 0.05). Adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with TAS (r = -0.29) and positively correlated with HDL cholesterol (r = 0.27). Insulin levels were negatively correlated with total cholesterol (r = -0.33), Zn intake (r = -0.31) and positively correlated with WHR (r = 0.31). The overall anthropometric indices showed positive relations with leptin levels. Salivary cortisol levels were positively corelated with WHR (r = 0.28), total cholesterol (r = 0.31), MDA (r = 0.29) and intakes of SFA (r = 0.35) and MUFA (r = 0.3). Salivary amylase levels were positively correlated with overall nutrient intakes (energy, CHO, fat, cholesterol. Fe, SFA, MUFA, Zn, Na, vitamin B2, r = 0.24-0.5) and was negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol (r = -0.34). These results suggested that 1) WHR would be a helpful index in the assessment of metabolic risk diseases. 2) Understanding of individual stress exposure should be considered in developing strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity.
Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue ; alpha-Amylases ; Amylases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Insulin ; Leptin ; Obesity ; Riboflavin

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of citric acid stimulation on salivary alpha-amylase (sAA), total protein (TP), salivary flow rate, and pH value between Pi deficiency (PD) children and healthy children, thereby providing evidence for Pi controlling saliva theory.

METHODSTwenty PD children were recruited, and 29 healthy children were also recruited at the same time. Saliva samples from all subjects were collected before and after citric acid stimulation. The sAA activity and amount, TP contents, salivary flow rate, and pH value were determined and compared.

RESULTS(1) Citric acid stimulation was able to significantly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, sAA activities, sAA specific activity and sAA amount (including glycosylated and non-glycosylated sAA amount) in healthy children (P<0.05), while it could markedly increase salivary flow rate, pH value, and glycosylated sAA levels in PD children (P<0.05); (2) Although there was no statistical difference in determined salivary indices between the two groups (P>0.05), salivary indices except salivary flow rate and glycosylated sAA levels decreased more in PD children. There was statistical difference in sAA activity ratio, sAA specific activity ratio, and the ratio of glycosylated sAA levels between PD children and healthy children (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPD children had decreased response to citric acid stimulation.