Lactobacillus plantarum 06CC2 reduces hepatic cholesterol levels and modulates bile acid deconjugation in Balb/c mice fed a high-cholesterol diet

Previous study suggested that dietary intake of Lactobacillus plantarum 06CC2 (LP06CC2) isolated from Mongolian dairy products showed various health beneficial effects. Here, the effect of LP06CC2 on the cholesterol metabolism in mice fed a cholesterol-loaded diet was evaluated. Cholesterol and LP06CC2 were incorporated into the AIN93G-based diet to evaluate the effect on cholesterol metabolism in Balb/c mice. Serum and liver cholesterol levels were significantly increased in mice fed a cholesterol-loaded diet whereas the LP06CC2 ingestion suppressed the increase of liver cholesterol. LP06CC2 suppressed the increase of the hepatic damage indices. The increase of the cecal content and fecal butyrate were observed in mice fed LP06CC2. The analysis of bile acids clearly showed that LP06CC2 increased their deconjugation indicating the decrease of bile acid absorption. The protein expression of hepatic Cyp7A1 was also suppressed by LP06CC2 in mice fed cholesterol. Finally, in vitro studies showed that LP06CC2 had the most potent ability to deconjugate bile acids using glycocholate among the tested probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated from Mongolian dairy products. Taken together, LP06CC2 is a promising microorganism for the reduction of the cholesterol pool via modulation of bile acid deconjugation.

Augmentation of T helper type 1 immune response through intestinal immunity in murine cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 infection by probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum strain 06CC2

We previously found that Lactobacillus plantarum strain 06CC2 showed probiotic potential, and its oral administration effectively induced Th1 cytokine production and activated the Th1 immune response associated with intestinal immunity in mice. In this study, to evaluate its potential as a versatile oral adjuvant for treatment of viral infection, we assessed the immunomodulatory activity of 06CC2 on murine cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, in which a major immune defense system is a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction based on activation of the Th1 immune response, in relation to its oral efficacy for alleviation of herpetic symptoms. In the HSV-1 infection model, oral administration of 06CC2 (20mg/mouse) twice daily for seven days starting two days before infection was significantly effective in delaying the development of skin lesions in the early phase of infection and reducing virus yields in the brain on day 4 after infection. In addition, 06CC2 significantly augmented the DTH reaction to inactivated HSV-1 antigen and elevated interferon (IFN)-γ production by HSV-1 antigen from splenocytes. On day 2, natural killer (NK) cell activity was significantly elevated, and the elevation was still observed on day 4. Furthermore, gene expressions of interleukin-12 receptor β2 and IFN-γ in Peyer's patches were augmented on day 4 by 06CC2 administration. Thus, 06CC2 was suggested to alleviate herpetic symptoms in mice in correlation with augmentation of the Th1 immune responses associated with NK cell activity through intestinal immunity. Strain 06CC2 may be a versatile oral adjuvant to activate Th1 immune response.

Tracing hepatitis C and Delta viruses to estimate their contribution in HCC rates in Mongolia

An estimated incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Mongolia is currently one of the highest in the world. According to previous reports, the sero-prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses in general population of the country is very high (HBV, 10% and HCV, 15%, respectively). Moreover, the majority (75-100%) of the HBV-infected individuals have co-infection with hepatitis Delta virus (HDV). Despite reported observations that HBV + HDV/HCV co-infection have significantly stronger association with HCC when compared with HCV-monoinfection, the later is still frequently observed among Mongolian HCC patients (39%). In this study, an approach based on principles of population genetics and mathematical epidemiology was used to trace an epidemic history of HCV and HDV. In agreement with the sero-epidemiological and social-historical background of the country, the results have demonstrated that the viruses had different epidemic dynamics in Mongolia; HCV was characterized by earlier epidemic expansion, whereas HDV spread with approximately 50 years lag. This may explain the comparable contribution of the HCV-monoinfection and HBV + HDV co-infection in current HCC rate despite different levels of risk of carcinogenesis. Used approach is useful in evaluation of current and prospective disease burden.

Overweight Japanese with body mass indexes of 23.0-24.9 have higher risks for obesity-associated disorders: a comparison of Japanese and Mongolians

OBJECTIVE

The degree of obesity of Asians is less than that of Caucasians. It has been suggested that Japanese, categorized as having normal weight (BMI<25.0), as defined by WHO (2000), have a tendency toward increased incidences of dyslipidemia and diabetes. Our objective was to analyze parameters constituting obesity-associated disorders in overweight Japanese and Mongolians with a body mass index (BMI) of 23.0-24.9, and to assess the suitability for Asians of the Regional Office for Western Pacific Region of WHO criteria pertaining to obesity (WPRO criteria, 2000).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study in a workplace setting.

SUBJECTS

A total of 386 Japanese men and 363 Japanese women, and 102 Mongolian men and 155 Mongolian women.

MEASUREMENTS

Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure) and metabolic measurements (plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin).

RESULTS

Graded increases in BMI of Japanese and Mongolians were positively associated with body fat percent, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist/hip ratio. The Japanese were categorized as 22% overweight, 22% obese I, 3% obese II; the Mongolians rated as 18% overweight, 34% obese I, 19% obese II, based on the WPRO BMI criteria. The Mongolians had a higher prevalence of obesity and a higher body fat percent, but a lesser gradation of dyslipidemia, than did the BMI-matched Japanese groups. Overweight Japanese (BMI 23.0-24.9), in comparison to normal Japanese (BMI 18.5-22.9), had significant differences in systolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in men, and in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin and Homoeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance in women. In contrast, the Mongolians showed no significant differences in metabolic parameters between overweight and normal subjects, except for diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSION

Since the relationship between abdominal fat mass and BMI is ethnic-specific, a universal BMI cutoff point is inappropriate for Asian populations such as the Japanese and Mongolians. The present investigation suggests that, while the WPRO criteria are suitable for Japanese, the WHO criteria are more appropriate for Mongolians.

High prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of TT-virus infection in Mongolia

A novel DNA virus, TT-virus (TTV), was isolated from a post-transfusion hepatitis patient in Japan. The prevalence of TTV infection was investigated among patients with chronic liver disease and normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) volunteers as controls in Mongolia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect TTV DNA using specific primers derived from open reading frame 1 (ORF1) of the TTV genome. Nucleotide sequences of samples positive for TTV DNA were determined. The sequences were analyzed by a molecular evolutionary method. Fifty (60.2%) hepatitis patients and 12 (42.9%) volunteers were positive for TTV DNA. The serum ALT levels did not differ significantly between patients with single TTV infection and without TTV, HBV and HCV infection. Similarly, the serum ALT levels did not differ significantly between controls with and without TTV infection. Dual infection of TTV with either HBV or HCV did not affect the ALT levels of hepatitis patients. The molecular evolutionary tree showed that TTV was a heterogeneous virus and all strains could be divided into three genotypes in Mongolia. A new genotype was identified that was distinct from those previously reported.

Lack of anti-GOR antibody among subjects with GB virus C/hepatitis G virus RNA

Homologies were sought between the putative amino acid sequences of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) and the GOR epitope or the liver/kidney microsome-1 (LKM-1) epitope, which share partial sequence identity with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) polyprotein. Anti-GOR antibody (anti-GOR) was assayed among 100 subjects with GBV-C/HGV RNA. Twenty-one and 25 subjects were coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or HCV, respectively. Homologies were found between the NS5 or E2 polyproteins of GBV-C/HGV and the GOR epitope or the LKM-1 epitope, respectively. These segments of GBV-C/HGV polyproteins sharing identity with the GOR or the LKM-1 epitope were well conserved among three genotypes of GBV-C/HGV. However, only 1 of 55 subjects (1.8%) with GBV-C/HGV RNA, but not with HBV or HCV, was positive for anti-GOR. The positivity for anti-GOR among the group with GBV-C/HGV RNA alone was significantly lower than that among the groups with HCV RNA (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Only 2 of 55 subjects (3.6%) with GBV-C/HGV RNA alone exhibited elevation of alanine aminotransferase. The incidence of liver dysfunction among the group with GBV-C/HGV RNA alone was significantly lower than the incidence among the groups with GBV-C/HGV RNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or HCV RNA (P< 0.01 and P< 0.01, respectively). These data indicate that 1) there is no association between GBV-C/HGV infection and the presence of anti-GOR, and 2) GBV-C/HGV infection is not related to chronic liver dysfunction.

Genotype of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus by molecular evolutionary analysis

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus is a newly described virus. Classification of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus into genotypes has not been established. We analyzed nucleotide sequences within the 5' untranslated region of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus isolates and segregated these isolates into genotypes. Twenty serum samples with GB virus C/hepatitis G virus RNA from Australia, Cameroon, the Congo, Japan, Mongolia, and Bangladesh were studied. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were used to obtain GB virus C/hepatitis G virus RNA. After nucleotide sequences from the 5' untranslated region were determined, 68 nucleotide sequences, including 48 previously reported sequences, were analyzed by molecular evolutionary methods. The phylogenetic tree of the 5' untranslated region showed that all strains could be divided into three major genotypes, GB type (type 1), HG type (type 2), and Asian type (type 3). Bootstrap analysis indicated that the strains could be divided into three major genotypes but could not be further subdivided. Moreover, frequency histograms of pairwise distances between nucleotide sequences demonstrated only one peak. These result indicated that GB virus C/hepatitis G virus can be classified into three major genotypes, GB type (type 1), HG type (type 2), and Asian type (type 3), and should not be divided into minor subtypes.

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection in Mongolia

We studied the prevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) infection among 112 patients with liver disease and 121 blood donors in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction were employed to detect GBV-C/HGV RNA using the specific primers derived from the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the GBV-C/HGV genome. Nucleotide sequences of all positive samples for GBV-C/HGV RNA were determined. The sequences were analyzed by a molecular evolutionary method. Twenty-five (10.7%) of 233 people were positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA. Eight (6.6%), 11 (9.1%), and 30 (24.8%) blood donors were positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA, HBsAg, and anti-HCV, respectively, although 17 (15.2%), 65 (58.0%), and 64 (54.5%) patients with liver disease were positive for each viral marker. The prevalences of GBV-C/HGV RNA, HBV, and HCV in the patients were significantly higher than those in blood donors (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anti-HCV among people with and without GBV-C/HGV RNA, while the prevalence of HBsAg among people with GBV-C/HGV RNA was significantly higher than among those without GBV-C/HGV RNA (P < 0.05). The molecular evolutionary tree showed that GBV-C/HGV was a heterogeneous virus and all strains could be divided into 2 types. One is the same phylogenetic type as HGV, and the other is a new type that is different from GBV-C and HGV.

Three different GB virus C/hepatitis G virus genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis and a genotyping assay based on restriction fragment length polymorphism

The 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) sequences of 33 GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) obtained from different geographic areas were determined through reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and dideoxy chain termination sequencing, the alignment of sequences, the estimation of the number of nucleotide substitution per site, and construction of phylogenetic trees. The 5'-UTR of GBV-HGV was found to be heterogeneous, with 70.9-99.5% homology. Three distinct phylogenetic branches were observed consistently in all phylogenetic trees. GBV-C is the prototype for one, HGV for another, and there is a new branch which consisted of GBV-C/HGV isolates from Asia. Genotype-specific restriction sites for the restriction enzymes, ScrFI and BsmFI, were identified, and a simple restriction fragment polymorphism analysis was developed for genotyping. These data provide evidence that GBV-C/HGV consists of three different genotypes. Our simple genotyping assay will also provide a tool for epidemiological studies of GBV-C/HGV infection.

PCR-RFLP analysis of the cytochrome b gene in horse mitochondrial DNA

The mitochondrial DNA sequence of cytochrome b gene in a Thoroughbred horse was determined. By comparing DNA sequences between the Thoroughbred and published sequence data (two horses and one Grevyi zebra), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were designed for amplification of a 590 bp DNA fragment in the cytochrome b gene, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was studied in 140 horses of six breeds using three restriction enzymes (AciI, BamHI, RsaI). Two morphs were found using each of the three enzymes. By combining three enzymes morphs, the 140 horses examined were classified into four types. Type 2 was most frequent in all breeds.

Geographic differences in the allele frequencies of the human Y-linked tetranucleotide polymorphism DYS19

We have studied the allele frequency distribution of the microsatellite locus DYS19 in several populations with different geographical origins worldwide. Three new alleles were found. In addition, remarkable geographic and ethnic differences were observed in the allele frequency profiles and DNA marker (gene) diversity among populations and major ethnic groups. Amerindians showed an overwhelming predominance of the A allele, while in Caucasians the B allele was modal, and in Greater Asians and Africans allele C became predominant. Even within these geographic regions there were significant gradients, as exemplified by the decreasing frequency profile of the B allele from Great Britain over Germany to Slovakia. Thus, DYS19 emerges as a useful tool for studying the structure and dynamics of human populations.

Mitochondrial DNA sequences of various species of the genus Equus with special reference to the phylogenetic relationship between Przewalskii's wild horse and domestic horse

The noncoding region between tRNAPro and the large conserved sequence block is the most variable region in the mammalian mitochondrial DNA D-loop region. This variable region (ca. 270 bp) of four species of Equus, including Mongolian and Japanese native domestic horses as well as Przewalskii's (or Mongolian) wild horse, were sequenced. These data were compared with our recently published Thoroughbred horse mitochondrial DNA sequences. The evolutionary rate of this region among the four species of Equus was estimated to be 2-4 x 10(-8) per site per year. Phylogenetic trees of Equus species demonstrate that Przewalskii's wild horse is within the genetic variation among the domestic horse. This suggests that the chromosome number change (probably increase) of the Przewalskii's wild horse occurred rather recently.