• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2017

Recent studies have reported that certain lactic acid bacteria and their metabolites, such as exopolysaccharides (EPSs), have immunological effects and can modulate the immune system following oral administration. Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris FC is a lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented milk from Caucasians and has been shown to produce EPSs. In this study, the effects of lactoferrins (apo-lactoferrin, holo-lactoferrin, and native-lactoferrin) and transferrins (apo-transferrin and holo-lactoferrin) on the growth of L. lactis subsp. cremoris FC were examined. The addition of lactoferrins and transferrins to L. lactis subsp. cremoris FC cultures was found to be effective at concentrations of 0.5 or 1 mg/mL.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2006

Ability of iron acquisition of pathogenic microorganisms functions as a virulence factor. Candida albicans, a fungal pathogen that requires iron for growth, is susceptible to growth retardation by high-affinity iron binding proteins such as transferrin. Recently, we reported that C. albicans could utilize the heme as a part of heme-containing proteins dissociated by heme oxygenase, CaHMX1. In search of another pathway that C. albicans can use to bypass the growth regulation produced by iron limitation, this present study examined utilization of non-candidal siderophores such as Desferal and rhodotorulic acid (RA) for acquisition of inorganic iron by the fungus. C. albicans secreting no siderophores was cultured in iron-free (pretreated with apotransferrin for 24 h) (culture medium). Once growth of the yeast reached stasis from iron starvation, a siderophore was added to the culture media. Results showed that cultures containing apotransferrin within a dialysis membrane recovered growth to the level of untreated controls, whereas C. albicans yeast cells in direct contact with soluble iron-free (apo) transferrin recovered growth only partially. When static growth from iron limitation was reached, the addition of siderophore-apotransferrin complex to culture medium also permitted the yeast to recover growth from apotransferrin growth regulation. All the data show that C. albicans can utilize the non-candidal siderophores for iron acquisition under transferrin regulation as can pathogenic bacteria.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.577-588
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• 2003

Severe protein-calorie malnutrition, common in patients with advanced liver disease, can seriously undermine the capacity for regeneration and functional restoration of liver. Nutritional supplementation for these patients can improve biochemical and hormonal abnormalities. However, these effects were not identified in patient with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. To determine effects of nutritional supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, 77 subjects aged 29 to 69 years participated in this study for 12 weeks and were subdivided into three groups; normal diet group (Control group, n ＝ 16), branched-chain amino acid supplementation group (BCAA group, n ＝ 31), nutritional supplementation group (NS group, n ＝ 30). Anthropometric parameters, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood cell counts, serum levels of lipids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acid composition, and plasma amino acids were examined. The mean values of age and height, and the initial values of weight and body mass index (BMI) were not different among all groups. After 12 weeks, there were no significant changes in these values in Control group. Only NS group showed significant increases in weight, lean body mass, midarm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness. Serum transferrins were increased both in BCAA and NS groups. Plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids, urea amino acids and glutamic acid were also significantly increased in these groups, but plasma levels of ammonia, serum LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index were decreased. However, there were no significant changes in serum levels of vitamin and mineral and composition of fatty acids in phospholipids in these groups. These results showed that the nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis can more improve nutritional status in these people together with increases of weight, body fat and lean body mass, compared to only BCAA supplementation. To ascertain and investigate the appropriate nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, further studies are necessary.