In this study, we showed the bioavailability of ubiquinol (QH) in the form of water-dispersive powder.Two groups of 5 healthy young subjects received single oral administration of 100 mg of QH in the form of a soft capsule containing QH dissolved in safflower oil or 40% water-dispersive powder in the fasting period, and changes in the plasma QH concentration were monitored over time.The water-dispersive powder form of QH exhibited superior bioavailability even when administered in the fasting period.

We investigated the effects of an ethanol extract of potato peel on T helper cytokines production in cultured murine Peyer’s patch cells ex vivo. Oral administration of the 70% ethanol extract at 100 mg/kg/day significantly enhanced the production of the Th1 cytokine IL-2 in response to concanavalin A. A decrease in the production of the Th2 cytokine IL-4 and the Th17 cytokine IL-17 was observed. The production of the Treg cytokine IL-10 was not affected. These results suggest that the potato peel extract stimulates Th1 immune response.

Although a number of studies have reported the anti-fatigue effect of anserine, its evidence seems to be still insufficient except the subjective evaluations by questionnaires. The aim of the present study was to propose a method to evaluate the anti-fatigue effect of anserine by a simple protocol and to verify the effectiveness of the method. Subjects were 17 healthy male volunteers (35.5 ± 5 yr., 75.5 ± 5.0 kg). They performed the isometric exercise tolerance test (ETT) on the rectus femoris muscle twice. Median frequencies (MDFs) of electromyogram and their regression curves were calculated for two ETTs. The angles between these curves were defined as a muscle fatigue index and were compared between anserine and water (control) intakes. The results indicate that anserine can alleviate muscle fatigue in humans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first direct demonstration of the anti-fatigue effect of anserine on muscle in humans.

Objective: Gender differences in attitudes toward and knowledge of CAM among health care profession students have not been evaluated in Japan. We examined gender differences in opinions, attitudes and knowledge regarding CAM among Japanese health care profession students. Methods: The subjects of this study were 1465 health care profession students. We used a questionnaire to obtain information on knowledge, sources of information, personal use, interest, willingness to take lectures, opinions regarding effectiveness and willingness to recommend for 17 different CAM modalities. Results: The proportions of female students with sufficient knowledge or a little knowledge of massage, chiropractic, Japanese herbal medicine, aromatherapy, diet, dietary supplements, psychotherapy, yoga and music therapy were significantly higher than the proportions of male students (p < 0.05). The frequencies of personal use of aromatherapy and yoga by female students were significantly higher than those by male students (p < 0.05). Female students had high levels of interest in aromatherapy, massage, yoga and chiropractic, while male students had high levels of interest in Japanese herbal medicine, massage and psychotherapy. Both female and male students had positive opinions regarding clinical usefulness and recommendation for massage, Japanese herbal medicine and psychotherapy (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Female students are more likely to have positive and favorable attitudes toward CAM than are male students in Japan. CAM modalities that female students had an interest in and used were different from CAM modalities for which they had positive opinions regarding clinical usefulness and recommendation to patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of feeding Okara fermented by Bacillus coagulans on cecum microflora in rat. Method: Three groups of SD rat of 8 weeks old were used in the experiment. The experimental animals were fed control diet, 2% okara diet, 2% fermented okara diet in each group for two weeks. The experimental diet and water were provided ad libitum. Food intake was measured every day. After 24 hours fast, we performed drawing blood with heparin after the experimental period. After drawing blood, several organs were removed for measuring their weight. In addition, we removed cecum after drawing blood about each three groups and studied their microflora. We also measured about plasma albumin, ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, and cytokine level. Result: Bifidobacteria of cecum and blood IFN-g levels significantly increased in the fermented okara group. The total cholesterol level in blood significantly decreased. Conclusion: Okara fermented by Bacillus coagulans had an influence on not only intestinal microflora but also the immune system in rat, suggesting that the fermented okara can expect development as functional materials.

Objectives: The present study was examined the effects of dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate on Blood Pressure, QOL and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Constitution. Methods: Forty subjects with slightly high blood pressure were assigned randomly to 2 groups (active group and placebo group). Kurozu-containing foods or the placebo was administered to the subjects daily for 12 weeks. At week 0, 6 and 12, blood samples were collected, physical measurements were taken, and the quality of life (SF-36v2) and TCM constitution were examined. Results: Significant differences on blood pressure and TCM constitution between the groups were observed at week 12. The change of QOL between the groups was observed significantly at week 6. Conclusion: These findings suggest that foods containing Kurozu have hypotensive action and improve effects on constitutional problems. In addition, it was confirmed that foods containing Kurozu are safe to ingest.

In Japan, the number of newly created biotechnology start-ups has increased dramatically since 1999. It is expected that more than ten bio venture firms will achieve initial public offering (IPO) status toward the end of 2004. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) start-ups are included in those IPO candidates. Also, the number of newly created CAM start-ups is expected to rise over the next few years, and their presence in the market will strengthen. It is significant to understand the nature of business in the CAM area in order to manage CAM start-ups successfully. Especially, the importance of creating alliances with outside parties for CAM start-ups is highlighted and analyzed in this paper.

It is well known all over the world that the randomized controlled trial (RCT), is the only study design for experiments involving human subjects that can create evidence of the highest quality regarding the efficacy and safety of a new treatment. In Japan, however, most clinical researchers have shown no interest in RCT and thus the number of good RCTs is quite small. Although the recent development of evidence-based medicine has played a role in promoting RCT among clinical researchers, the number of researchers who can understand what an RCT is, design one properly and analyze data appropriately is also quite small. This situation is also completely applicable to the world of complementary and alternative medicine. In this paper, we shall introduce the reader to the concepts behind RCT and a statistical way of thinking that is indispensable for properly conducting RCT to glean scientific evidence of the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine.

It is generally accepted that moderate physical activity can improve immune functions and potentially reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases and cancer. There is accumulating evidence to show that moderate physical activity can enhance the activities of T cells, natural killer cells and macrophages, cytokine productivity and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and salivary IgA levels. In contrast, however, exhaustive exercise causes the systemic release of immunosuppressive stress hormones and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and temporarily causes a decrease in circulating lymphocyte counts and the reduction in activities of T cells and natural killer cells and salivary IgA levels. Consequently, these negative alterations in immune function and cytokine imbalance may enhance host susceptibility to infections and promote allergic disposition. Although exercise-induced mobilization and activation of phagocytic cells such as neutrophils and monocytes can result in muscular, vascular and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species, these deleterious responses may be attenuated by the appropriate use of antioxidants and nutritional supplements. This review presents the findings from recent studies in the field of exercise immunology, and offers some insight into how these findings may be applied in the broad realm of preventive, complementary and alternative medicine.