The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isoflavone on serum lipids and antioxidant enzymes activities in growing rats fed high lard diet. Twenty four female Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 50–60 g) were divided into three groups, control, high fat (HF, lard 200 g/kg diet) and high fat + isoflavone (HFI, lard 200 g/kg diet + isoflavone 310.9 mg/kg diet) for 4 weeks. The results of study indicated that body weight gain was not different by isoflavone diet. Mean intake was significantly lower in HF group and HFI group than control group. Food efficiency ratio was significantly higher in HF group and HFI group than control group. The level of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were significantly lower in HFI group than control group and HF group. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, was significantly higher in control group than HF group and HFI group. The level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was not significantly different by experimental diets, but atherogenic index (AI) was significantly lower in control group and HFI group than HF group. Contents of total cholesterol and triglyceride in liver tissues were found to be insignificant. The concentration of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde was significantly lower in control groups and HFI group than HF group. And antioxidant enzymes in liver tissue were not significantly different by lard and isoflavone supplemented diets. In conclusion, it seems possible that isoflavone supplemented high fat diet may produce positive results on level of serum triglyceride, serum total cholesterol, AI and concentration of malondialdyhyde.

To understand human immune responses against the human transferrin-binding protein of Staphylococcus aureus (SA-tbp), we examined cell wall proteins from S. aureus ATCC 6538 using human convalescent sera, and a monoclonal antibody specific for human transferrin receptor (McAb-HTR). The SA-tbp, detected by immunoblot assay, was iron-repressible, reacted with the convalescent sera, and cross-reacted with McAb-HTR. Immunoelectron microscopy probed with McAb-HTR showed a reaction zone around the test strain from the deferrated BHI. After being preincubated with an S. aureus-bacteremic serum, the electroblot of the SA-tbp still reacted with McAb-HTR, but not with human transferrin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. We conclude, there are at least two kinds of epitopes in the SA-tbp; one able to bind to human transferrin is immunogenic in humans, but the other sharing epitopes common with human transferrin receptor is not immunogenic in humans.

An accurate assessment of the recommended calcium (Ca) intake may contribute to reducing the risk of fractures and chronic diseases, ultimately improving quality of life. This review was performed to summarize key findings of Ca studies, investigate the effect of Ca intake on health outcomes, and determine the adequacy of evidence to revise the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) for Ca in 2020. Databases were searched for intervention studies that assessed health outcomes by providing Ca in diets or as supplements. The framework of the systematic review comprised conducting literature searches, data extraction, quality assessment of the literature, and summarizing key findings relevant to set the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Ca for the 2020 KDRI. The final search was performed in June 2019. A total of 13,309 studies were identified through databases and manual search. Sixtyfive studies were included in the final quality assessment and were summarized according to health indicators. As bone health was used as an indicator of the EAR for Ca, literature reports on bone health were further categorized by the life-cycle stage of the participants. This systematic review did not find new evidence that could be applied to the general Korean adult population, including postmenopausal women, for defining a new EAR for Ca in the 2020 KDRIs. Evidence in most of the reviewed literature was considered weak; however, some evidence was found that could improve the criteria on how the EAR for Ca was determined in children and adolescents. A review of the literature for the 2020 KDRIs for Ca did not find strong evidence in order to change the recommended values of the 2015 KDRIs. More clinical interventions are required among Koreans to strengthen the body of evidence to warrant the revision of the KDRIs.