Dry solid matter (rutin content: 51.6 mg/g; quercetin content: 72.2 mg/g) extracted from Tartary buckwheat boiled noodles using 70% methanol as the solvent was found to have α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. As for fractions fractionated by silica gel column chromatography, the fractions rich in quercetin and rutin showed remarkable α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Tartary buckwheat boiled noodles used as samples in this study contained quercetin produced from rutin by the action of rutinase, suggesting that both rutin and quercetin contained were involved in the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the dry solid extract. Changes in postprandial blood glucose levels were compared for boiled noodles made from two types of buckwheat (i.e., Tartary buckwheat and common buckwheat), revealing that blood glucose elevation after eating Tartary buckwheat boiled noodles was suppressed. The blood glucose level 40 minutes after eating Tartary buckwheat boiled noodles was significantly low (p<0.05). It can be concluded that this might be caused by the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of rutin (270.0 mg) and quercetin (330.5 mg), which correspond to a total amount of 935 mg of rutin equivalents, in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the digestion of carbohydrates contained in the samples consumed and their absorption by the intestine might be inhibited, resulting in the suppression of increases in blood glucose levels. The presence of a certain amount of quercetin was considered to be key to the suppression of blood glucose elevation. It is important to control rapid postprandial blood glucose increases to prevent diabetes from developing or becoming serious. This study suggests the potential for Tartary buckwheat boiled noodles to contribute to diabetes prevention.

[Objective] The purpose of this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study is to investigate the challenges of adverse events during treatment by acupuncture and moxibustion to an athlete. [Methods] In total, 1,804 subjects, including athletes who participated in marathons and university athletes were enrolled in this study. The survey was conducted by distributing the questionnaire or via online questionnaire to the athletes who fit the criteria for the study. The questionnaires were collected after consent was received from the participants; online questionnaires were also collected. The questionnaire was examined for age, sex, and type of competition, purpose of the acupuncture treatment and the actual effects, and treated area, content of adverse event, number of times the subjects received acupuncture, and informed consent, and free description of adverse events.[Results] In total, 1,525 (84.5%) valid responses to the questionnaires were received. The survey analyzed 841 subjects (55.1%) who experienced acupuncture and moxibustion. The following responses about adverse events of acupuncture were obtained: "pain at time of needle insertion"; 17.0%, "subcutaneous-bleeding"; 10.1% and "pain and feeling of heaviness due to the needle": 10.0%, among others. For moxibustion, responses included "burns"; 5.9% and "malaise"; 5.8%, among others. In the free description, there were 17 descriptions of discomfort due to excessive stimulation and difficulty in movement during exercise. Of the questions regarding whether or not they received informed consent, 215 were received orally (25.6%), 34 were received in written form (4.0%), 99 were received both orally and in written form (11.8%).[Discussion and Conclusion] Acupuncture for athletes causes a certain rate of adverse events. It was suggested that guidelines for athletes to receive acupuncture safely and training and education for practitioners are important.

[Objective]To investigate the effects of acupuncture on sports activities of athletes[Methods]A total of 1,804 athletes were targeted. The method used was a collective survey. Questionnaires were administered after obtaining consent from the participants; online questionnaires were also provided. The questionnaire evaluated profile (sex, age); sensation immediately after acupuncture treatment, duration of stimulus sensation, stimulus intensity, stimulus sensation, and therapeutic effect; timing of acupuncture treatment; and questions related to acupuncture as to whether the acupuncture caused any adverse effects on play (movement) or showed any positive effects.[Results]In total, 1,525 (84.5%) valid responses were obtained. The survey analyzed 841 subjects (55.1%) who underwent acupuncture. The most common response after acupuncture treatment was that the subjects felt lighter and were able to move more easily; 43.9% of subjects gave this response. In addition, 10.6% of respondents said that they continued to feel pain similar to the sensation during acupuncture treatment and 7.7% said they felt weak. The most common response at 59.8% was that the sensation felt during acupuncture disappeared quickly after treatment was ended, 58.6% of subjects said that the sensation felt after acupuncture was optimal, and 48.3% responded that the sensation from treatment remained and a positive effect was observed. The most common timing for receiving acupuncture for 21.8% of subjects was after practice or a match: [Discussion and Conclusion]Acupuncture for athletes should be performed according to the guidelines, taking into account the competition schedule and type of competition and the appropriate amount of acupuncture stimulation, thereby preventing problems during competition.