At present, lifestyle-related diseases are one of the most critical health issues worldwide. It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide derived from a Gram-negative bacteria (IP-PA1) symbiotic with wheat exhibited several advantageous biological effects, such as the reduction of plasma glucose levels in NOD mice and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in WHHL rabbits. In this study, the beneficial effects on plasma glucose and lipids of a tea (SI tea) consisting of IP-PA1 and Salacia (which contains an inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase) were investigated in the KK-Ay/TaJcl type 2 diabetic model mice and in human subjects with premetabolic syndrome in a double-blind, randomized study. SI tea significantly decreased plasma glucose levels in KK-Ay/TaJcl mice. A clinical trial of SI tea was performed with 41 subjects between the ages of 40 and 69, who belonged either to a high plasma glucose group (HG: FPG 100-125 mg/dl) or to a hyperlipidemia group (HL: TG > or = 150 mg/dl, or LDL > or = 120 mg/dl, or HDL < 40 mg/dl). These subjects ingested either Salacia without IP-PA1 (the control) or SI tea. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, and 60 days after initiating SI tea treatment, and were measured for FPG, HbA1c, TG, LDL, and HDL. These results showed that SI tea reduced FPG and HbA1c more rapidly than the control in the HL group, and also significantly improved LDL and HDL levels in the HG group. Thus, SI tea may be helpful in preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Animals ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipoproteins ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Plasma ; Rabbits ; Salacia ; Tea ; Triticum

Objective: Our previous studies suggested that hot spring aquatic exercise may immediately improve the balance ability. As the long-term effects of such repeated exercise have not yet been examined, this present study aims to analyze them, focusing on the balance-related physical indexes. Methods: A total of 12 patients (the number of cerebrovascular disease patients: 5; the number of orthopedic disease patients: 7; mean age: 71.9±13.1; FIM: 117±7.5; and FBS score: 46.4±6.7), who had been treated with hot spring aquatic exercise therapy in our hospital were studied. Each patient showed decreased balance ability due to paralysis, sensory disturbance, or fracture. The measurement indexes were the ability to bend forward while sitting with their legs straight, Functional Balance Scale (FBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) scores, sensory function was measured by the instrument (Semmes-Weinstein Monofilaments), and skin stiffness. Those were measured immediately, 10, 20, and 30 days after the initiation of the intervention.   Furthermore, indexes of eight patients out of those were measured 60 days after the initiation. Each exercise session consisted of walking forward and backward, hip abduction, flexion, and extension, lunge, and squat, which lasted approximately 15 minutes. The loading level was set at a pulse of 77±11.2 ≧ 84±13.5/minute, with a perceived exertion rate (modified Borg Scale) of 0.7±1.0 ≧ 2.4±2.3. Results: The ability to bend forward while sitting with their legs straight, TUG, FBS and sensory function, scores have improved significantly. Any significant improvements were not observed on FRT and skin stiffness. Discussion: The improvement of the sensory function was observed in patients with cerebrovascular disease. This would be because these therapies have the effect on the improvement of higher neuronal function. It is assumed that training efficiency in itself was improved, as the buoyancy and hydrostatic pressure assisted the patients to keep balance.   This exercise showed more effectiveness on the complicated balance indexes. On evaluation of each balance index, the TUG scores significantly improved significantly, while the FRT scores did not show any effects. As the balance-related indexes started to show improvements 30 days after the initiation, it should be recommended to continue this exercise for 30 days or more. Furthermore, in those who had not reached the maximum FBS score 30 days after the initiation, the improvement in scores was observed after 60 days. Further studies will be necessary to analyze these physical indexes, which showed improvements so that more effective exercises for each patient can be programmed taking the relevant balance-related physical indexes into account.